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SEYMOUR    DURST 


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A  MAID  OF  OLD  MANHATTAN 


THE  MACMILLAN  COMPANY 

MXW  YORK  •   BOSTON  •   CHICAGO  •   DALIJiS 
ATLANTA  •   SAN  FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN  &  CO.,  Limitkd 

LONDON  •  BOMBAY  •  CALCUTTA 
MELBOURNB 

THE  MACMILLAN  CO.  OF  CANADA,  Ltd. 

TOXONTO 


"  Know  \ou  the  maid,  Balthazar?  " 


A  MAID  OF 
OLD  MANHATTAN 


BY 
EMILIE  BENSON  KNIPE 

AND 

ALDEN  ARTHUR  KNIPE 

Authors  of  ''A  Maid  of  '76,'»  'Tolly 
Trotter,  Patriot,"  etc. 


ILLUSTRATED  BY 

EMILIE  BENSON  KNIPE 


Nnsi  fork 
THE  MACMILLAN  COMPANY 

1917 

All  rights  reserved 


OOPYKIGHT,    1917 

By  the  MACMILLAN  COMPANY 


Set  up  and  electrotyped.    Published  September,  1917. 


CONTENTS 

I  The  Treasure i 

II  An  Empty  Triumph 7 

III  A   Strange   Pedlar 15 

IV  A  Chance  Encounter 26 

V  A  Stroke  of  Business 34 

VI  From  Hand  to  Hand 45 

VII  In  the  Seats  of  the  Mighty  ...  59 

VIII  A  Strange  Device 67 

IX  Fire!  Fire! 76 

X  The  Great  Director  General       .     .  84 

XI  A  Guide  to  the  North 95 

XII  The  Making  of  a  Lady 103 

XIII  Doctor  and  Patient in 

XIV  Old  Wives' Talk 117 

XV  The  Warning 129 

XVI  A  Summons 136 

XVII  Word  from  the  Sopus 144 

XVIII  The  Governor  Pays  A  Visit  .     .     .     .155 

XIX  Cross  Purposes 167 

XX  The  Start 176 


Contents 

XXI  The  War  Drums  .....    >     .  183 

XXII    The  Great  Seal 190 

XXIII  Her  White  Manitou 197 

XXIV  White  Blossoms 206 

XXV    The  Word  of  a  Traitor 214 

XXVI  Balthazar  Takes  His  Leave   .     .     .  223 

XXVII    A  Passing  Year 233 

XXVIII     Annetje's  Answer 243 

XXIX    A  Fine  Dish  of  Gossip 251 

XXX    The  Price 259 

XXXI     The  English  Arrive 271 

XXXn  A  New  Name  for  an  Old  Town  .     .  279 

XXXIII    Two  Letters 286 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

"Know  you  the  maid,   Balthazar?"   .      .      .  Frontispiece 

FACING 
PAGE 

"  When  the  English  take  the  province  you  will  have 

your  rights  " 30 

"A  seat  for  her  Mightiness" 122 

"Thou  art  here  at  last,  oh  my  white  daughter"  .      .    192 

"  Thou  art  over-young  to  adopt  so  large  a  daughter, 

Balthazar " 240 

"  It  is  Annctje  Pclgrom,  Judith  " 256 


A  MAID  OF  OLD  MANHATTAN 


CHAPTER  I 

THE   TREASURE 

yiROUND  the  council-fire  the  men  sat  eyeing 
AA  each  other  across  the  flickering  light,  the  cop- 
•^  -^per-coloured  faces  of  the  Indians  peering  into 
the  white  faces  of  Jan  Virrhage  and  his  men.  They 
had  sat  thus  hour  after  hour  awaiting  the  move  that 
was  to  end  their  parley. 

At  last  Virrhage  spoke. 

"  Time  presses,  O  Sachema !  " 

A  sudden  restless  movement  of  relief  among  the 
whites  was  plain  evidence  that  they  had  nigh  reached 
the  end  of  their  patience.  For  days  the  parley  had 
been  in  progress,  and  they  seemed  no  nearer  their 
desire.  The  Dutchmen  sought  gold  I  Kieft,  the 
old  governor  of  Nieuw  Amsterdam  had  found  it; 
but  he  had  gone  down  with  his  ship  carrying  the 
secret  of  its  whereabouts  with  him.  Gossip  had  it 
that  the  Indians  to  the  North  knew  where  it  was,  and 
they  were  there,  a  handful  of  desperate  men,  to  solve 
the  riddle  of  its  hiding-place.  They  sought  gold 
and,  now  that  they  felt  it  within  their  grasp,  they 
were  not  minded  to  be  balked  of  their  reward  by  the 
stolid  stubbornness  of  the  painted  savages. 

"  Time  presses,  O  Sachema,"  Jan  Virrhage  re- 
peated, and  his  followers  nodded  in  unison. 

I 


2  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

Among  the  braves  there  was  no  stir.  Like  bronze 
statues  in  the  red  hght  of  the  fire,  they  sat  wrapped 
in  their  blankets  staring  straight  before  them,  im- 
movable, unwinking,  silent. 

Ten  minutes  passed  and  then,  with  an  exclama- 
tion of  impatience,  Jan  Virrhage  stood  up. 

"  Give  ear,  O  Sachema !  The  end  of  our  waiting 
is  at  hand.  We  have  come  for  the  treasure  and  if 
we  go  back  without  it,  woe  unto  this  village !  I  am 
sent  by  the  Great  White  Chief,  whose  arm  is  long 
and  strong.  If  I  return,  and  the  treasure  Is  not  with 
me,  he  will  come  himself —  and  who  shall  be  left  in 
your  wigwams  to  tell  the  tale  to  your  children's  chil- 
dren? We  who  are  here  in  his  name  know  that  you 
hold  a  precious  secret.  Our  manitou  has  whispered 
in  our  ears  that  the  Algonkins  are  hiding  that  which 
we  seek,  and  woe  betide  that  tribe  who  would  deceive 
us!  Think  not  that  being  but  an  handful  against  a 
hundred  we  must  fear  you.  We  came  as  brothers  to 
the  Algonkins  and  as  brothers  we  would  return.  But 
the  treasure  we  mean  to  have,  or  else  will  the  Great 
White  Chief  follow  us  and  your  lands  shall  be  left 
desolate.  Already  ten  suns  have  passed.  Already 
it  is  whispered  that  you  parley  but  to  gain  time.  Al- 
ready the  Great  White  Chief  is  asking  why  his  men 
have  not  returned.  The  end  of  our  waiting  is  at 
hand.  Give  answer,  O  Sachema !  Have  we  jour- 
neyed to  your  lodge  in  vain  or  will  you  give  us  the 
hidden  treasure?  Give  answer,  O  Sachema  I  For 
the  last  time  I  have  spoken." 

Virrhage  ceased  and  eyed  the  Indian  chief,  trying 
to  read  in  his  impassive  countenance  the  effect  of  his 
words.  He  would  have  given  much  to  know  what 
thoughts  were  passing  through  the  other's  mind,  for 
the  situation  was  desperate.  At  a  word  from  the 
silent  figure  the  lives  of  Virrhage  and  his  band  would 


The  Treasure  3 

not  be  worth  a  stuyver's  purchase.  Should  the  chief 
so  will  it,  neither  he  nor  those  who  followed  him 
would  return  to  tell  the  tale,  and  the  end  of  the  ad- 
venture would  be  sudden  and  painful. 

The  boast  that  he  had  been  sent  by  Peter  Stuyve- 
sant  was  false.  The  Dutch  governor  of  Nieuw 
Nederlandt  was  little  like  to  stir  up  trouble  with  the 
Indians  over  the  carcasses  of  Jan  Virrhage  and  his 
boschlopers.  Nor  was  it  even  certain  that  it  was  the 
Algonkins  with  whom  Kieft  had  dealt  in  his  search 
for  gold.  Back  in  Manhattan  there  were  those  who 
laughed  at  the  extravagant  talk  of  Kieft's  buckets  of 
treasure  and  doubted  if  there  ever  had  been  such  a 
discovery  as  he  had  claimed.  A  few  beads  found 
here  and  there  among  the  tribes  was  all  the  evidence 
the  settlers  had  upon  which  to  base  the  belief  that 
gold  actually  existed  in  the  new  land.  Yet,  as  it 
was  known  that  the  savages  prized  copper  above  the 
yellow  metal,  Kieft's  bragging  had  sent  more  than 
one  greedy  party  on  the  search. 

Yijirhage  was  one  of  those  who  had  faith,  and  if  a 
boQ  front  and  a  round  lie  would  further  his  purpose 
he  had  both  courage  and  a  ready  tongue  at  his  com- 
mand. He  knew  that  the  Esopus  were  not  a  warlike 
tribe  and  if  a  threat  to  bring  the  Dutch  soldiery 
might  serve  his  turn  he  would  not  hesitate  at  a  threat, 
vain  though  it  was.  Moreover  the  ten  days'  parley 
had  convinced  him  that  the  Indians  were  possessed 
of  a  secret.  On  that  point  he  had  no  doubt,  and  this 
conviction  doubled  his  determination  to  drag  it  from 
them  by  hook  or  crook. 

And  now  the  die  was  cast.  The  next  few  mo- 
ments would  determine  the  fate  of  the  white  men  one 
way  or  the  other.  Meanwhile  a  blustering  and  in- 
different mien  might  well  impress  the  savages.  Jan 
Virrhage  stood  for  a  moment,  waiting  for  the  chief- 


4  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

tain  to  answer;  then,  with  a  swagger  of  his  heavy 
shoulders,  he  made  a  move  as  if  to  quit  the  circle. 

But  ere  Virrhage  had  completed  his  stride  the 
Sachem  rose  to  speak. 

"  Stop,  O  white  brother,"  he  said,  stretching  forth 
his  arm,  "  the  treasure  shall  be  yours !  " 

At  his  words  a  shout  broke  from  the  whites  and 
the  men  leaped  up  in  an  excess  of  joy. 

Virrhage  turned  on  them  furiously. 

*'  Down,  dogs !  "  he  cried  in  Dutch.  "  Would  you 
lose  all  now  that  it  is  within  your  grasp?  " 

He  strode  back  and  forth  for  a  moment,  while  his 
followers  sank  to  the  ground  again  and  the  silence  of 
the  forest  brooded  once  more  upon  the  scene;  then 
he  turned  and  fronted  the  chief,  standing  straight 
and  rigid  as  the  tall  pines  about  him. 

''  Your  words  are  good,  O  Sachema,"  he  an- 
swered. "  Let  us  have  the  treasure,  that  we  may  be 
upon  our  way  to  tell  the  Great  White  Chief  that  the 
Algonklns  stand  our  friends  and  will  be  as  brothers 
to  us  in  the  days  to  come." 

For  an  instant  the  Sachem  stood  gazing  at  the 
white  man  before  him. 

*'  See  to  it,  O  white  brother,  that  you  guard  the 
treasure  as  faithfully  as  has  the  red  man  with  whom 
the  Great  Spirit  has  let  it,  for  a  time,  abide." 

He  half  chanted  the  words,  then,  with  a  gesture 
that  brought  every  brave  to  his  feet,  he  walked 
swiftly  away,  the  other  Indians  following. 

"  The  prize  is  won,  Kapltein,"  came  the  shout  as 
the  men  clustered  around  Virrhage. 

"  Think  you  'twill  be  nuggets  as  big  as  hen's 
eggs?  "  cried  one. 

*'  I've  heard  Kieft  said  the  gold  could  be  brushed 
up  with  a  besom!  "  exclaimed  another. 

"  Nay,  'tis  the  mine  we  want,"  a  third  protested. 


The  Treasure  5 

"  You  may  count  yourselves  lucky  an  you  get  off 
with  whole  skins,"  muttered  Virrhage.  "  Saw  you 
not  that  it  was  touch  and  go  with  us?  We'll  not 
grumble  at  the  size  of  the  lumps,  nor  press  the  mat- 
ter of  their  hiding-place  in  the  earth." 

"  Are  we  then  to  be  put  off  with  a  hatful  of  odds 
and  ends,  when  a  fortune  for  each  of  us  awaits  the 
taking?"  the  other  demanded. 

"  Aye,  that's  well  thought  of,"  was  the  murmured 
comment,  as  the  men  closed  in  upon  their  leader. 

*'  Dolts!  "  grunted  Virrhage,  under  his  breath. 

"  Nay,  Kapitein,  'tis  the  source  we  need  to  learn," 
the  grumbler  insisted. 

"  And  we  must  e'en  rest  satisfied  with  what  we  can 
get  I  "  Virrhage  retorted.  "  Art  minded  to  force  me 
to  play  the  fool?     If  so,  you've  mistook  your  man." 

"  But  Kapitein —'' 

"  Be  silent  and  listen  to  me,"  Virrhage  cut  in 
sharply.  "'  The  savages  are  ten  to  one  of  us.  'Tis 
plain  we  cannot  force  the  issue  now.  A  false  step, 
and  they  would  be  upon  us  in  a  twinkling.  Be  patient 
and  all  will  be  well.  Let  us  have  but  a  sackful  of 
their  nuggets  and  I'll  warrant  a  company  will  start 
out  from  Nieuw  Amsterdam  ere  the  month  is  gone. 
We  have  gained  our  treasure  when  we  have  proof 
that  the  gold  is  here  and  that  the  savages  can  point 
the  place." 

"  Aye,  an  you  would  have  us  share  our  fortunes 
with  that  same  company  from  Nieuw  Amsterdam," 
came  the  churlish  answer. 

"  A  plague  upon  your  grumblings  — ,"  Virrhage 
began,  but  ere  he  could  continue,  a  wail  of  woe  filled 
the  forest  and  stilled  the  argument. 

Through  the  motionless  trees  there  came  a  moan- 
ing as  of  a  multitude  of  mourners  chanting  a  hymn 
of   farewell  to   some   one  well-beloved.     So  unex- 


6  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

pected  was  this  song  of  sorrow,  so  filled  with  bitter 
pain,  that  even  the  rough  Dutchmen  felt  its  profound 
grief  and  moved  uneasily.  Virrhage  himself,  indif- 
ferent to  the  softer  side  of  life,  glanced  sidewise  at 
his  companions  to  note  the  effect  upon  them,  his  face 
set  grim  to  hide  his  emotions. 

For  a  long  minute  the  lament  rose  and  fell  like  the 
distant  tolling  of  a  bell  of  bronze;  then,  as  suddenly 
as  it  had  begun,  It  ceased,  and  the  silence  of  the 
woods  wrapped  the  listeners  as  in  a  shroud. 

"  Right  glad  am  I  to  have  an  end  to  that,"  mut- 
tered Virrhage,  in  an  undertone. 

**  'Tis  the  mournfulest  sound  ever  met  my  ears," 
said  one  of  his  men,  and  the  others  nodded. 

For  a  time  they  stood  without  speaking,  peering 
through  the  darkness  beyond  the  fire  toward  the  clus- 
ter of  wigwams,  and  presently  tall  forms  began  to 
move  among  the  stately  tree  trunks.  Slowly,  two  by 
two,  the  painted  braves  returned,  walking  deliber- 
ately until  they  reached  the  fire.  Here  the  lead- 
ers separated,  taking  their  places  one  upon  each  side 
of  the  glowing  coals,  and  those  who  followed  did 
likewise  until  a  lane  was  formed  leading  back  into 
the  gloom  of  the  forest.  Down  this  lane  Virrhage 
and  his  men  gazed  with  an  ever-increasing  sense  of 
bewilderment  and  mystery.  Then,  at  the  end  of  it, 
there  appeared  three  figures. 

With  measured  tread  they  came,  until  at  last,  they 
entered  the  circle  of  light  and  halted,  facing  the 
whites  across  the  leaping  flames.  Upon  the  right 
stood  the  Sachem,  his  head  held  high  and  his  feath- 
ered bonnet  seeming  to  touch  the  lower  branches  of 
the  trees  so  tall  was  he.  Upon  the  left,  a  squaw, 
bowed  in  sorrow,  with  her  arms  falling  stiffly  at  her 
sides,  and  between  them  was  a  little  child. 


CHAPTER  II 

AN    EMPTY    TRIUMPH 

THAT  the  child  was  the  centre  of  this  savage 
ceremony  was  all  too  plain  to  Jan  Virrhage, 
and  at  the  sight  of  her  his  heart  misgave  him. 

She  was  a  little  girl  of  perhaps  six  years  and,  as 
she  stood  with  the  light  from  the  fire  playing  on  her 
gay  costume,  she  was  indeed  a  wondrous  sight  to 
behold.  She  was  clad  in  doeskins  so  thickly  orna- 
mented with  beads,  porcupine  quills,  and  zaswant 
that  scarce  a  square  inch  of  the  soft  hide  was  visible. 
Her  black  hair,  braided  and  bound  in  red,  was  topped 
with  an  eagle  feather.  Upon  her  feet  were  moc- 
casins fit  for  a  princess,  and  about  her  neck  hung  a 
double  chain  of  polished  shells. 

Virrhage  noted  all  this  at  a  glance,  and  although 
he  realized  that  never  in  his  wide  experience  with 
the  Indians  had  he  seen  a  child  so  richly  clad,  it  was 
the  little  girl's  face  that  held  his  attention.  Her 
skin  was  of  a  reddish  hue  and  glistened  in  the  flick- 
ering light  like  polished  copper;  but  it  was  stained 
with  the  juice  of  a  berry  in  common  use  among  the 
red  men.  Virrhage  needed  no  prolonged  scrutiny 
of  her  dainty  features  to  convince  him  that  the  child 
was  white,  and  herein  he  found  the  kernel  of  a  mys- 
tery which  had  been  puzzling  him  throughout  the 
parleys. 

The  child  was  the  treasure  of  which  the  Sachem 
had  been  talking  while  Virrhage  had  thought  only 
of  gold.  The  Indian  word  meant  anything  that  was 
precious  and  the  savages,  who  prized  not  the  yellow 

7 


8  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

metal,  would  scarce  think  of  using  it  as  the  white 
man  had  done.  This  Virrhage  now  understood; 
but  for  his  life  he  dared  not  show  that  aught  had 
gone  awry.  He  had  boasted  knowledge  of  this 
treasure  and  of  his  power  to  take  it.  He  had  even 
hinted  at  a  supernatural  gift,  which  in  the  early  days 
the  red  men  were  wont  to  attribute  to  the  whites, 
and  in  all  ways  he  had  proclaimed  a  high  authority 
to  seize  upon  that  which  he  sought.  It  would  be 
fatal  to  let  them  suspect  that  he  was  less  than  all 
wise  and  all  powerful.  Should  he  now  throw  dis- 
credit upon  his  pretensions  —  should  he  so  much  as 
show  surprise  —  the  Indians  would  put  a  swift  and 
horrible  end  to  his  explanations.  Moreover  he 
realized  that  he  had  reached  the  heart  of  their  secret. 

All  this  went  through  the  man's  mind  in  a  flash, 
while  the  two  parties  faced  each  other  across  the 
council-fire  for  the  last  time.  Virrhage  saw  failure 
to  his  enterprise,  a  month  of  hardship  and  suffering 
wasted,  a  mutinous  crew  of  followers  to  control  upon 
the  down-river  journey;  but  he  had  his  life  and  theirs 
to  save,  and  he  faced  the  situation  with  the  same 
hardihood  that  had  brought  him  through  many  a 
tight  place  in  the  past. 

For  an  instant  only  did  he  hesitate;  then  turning 
to  the  men  behind  him  he  issued  his  warning. 

"  We  have  been  fishing  in  a  muddy  stream,"  he 
muttered  in  Dutch.  "  The  child  is  their  treasure, 
and  they  know  naught  of  gold.  See  to  it  that  you 
betray  naught  of  your  disappointment;  for  if  you  do, 
I  tell  you  plain,  you  are  as  good  as  dead  men." 

With  that  he  fronted  the  Sachem  and  taking  a 
step  to  one  side  of  the  fire  he  stretched  forth  his 
hand. 

"  Is  this  the  child,  O  Sachema?  "  he  asked. 

The  tall  Indian,  putting  an  arm  about  the  shoul- 


An  Empty  Triumph  9 

ders  of  the  little  girl,  drew  her  to  him  and  together 
they  moved  slowly  to  where  Virrhage  stood. 

"  It  is  the  child,  O  white  brother,"  answered  the 
Sachem,  and  stepped  back  a  pace,  leaving  the  small 
figure  between  them. 

Virrhage,  taking  the  child's  hand,  was  about  to 
speak  when  his  eye  was  caught  by  the  figure  of  the 
squaw  beside  the  Sachem.  She  had  Hfted  her  head 
and  was  gazing  at  the  little  girl  with  such  a  look 
of  yearning  love  that  even  the  rough  Dutchman  felt 
a  tug  at  his  heartstrings.  For  a  moment  she  stood 
thus,  all  the  pain  and  sorrow  of  this  parting  pictured 
in  her  face;  then  stooping,  she  gathered  up  a  handful 
of  ashes. 

*'  Annetl  My  little  Annet !  "  she  wailed,  and  cast- 
ing the  ashes  upon  her  head  she  quitted  the  scene  with 
dragging  steps. 

The  small  hand  clasped  in  Virrhage's  twitched 
and  the  man  felt  a  trembling  run  through  the  little 
body  beside  him;  but  when  he  looked  down,  the  girl's 
face  was  as  stoical  and  Impassive  as  were  those  of 
the  braves  who  watched,  unwinking. 

Again  he  was  about  to  speak  but  ere  he  could  open 
his  lips  the  Sachem's  deep  voice  broke  the  silence. 

"  Listen,  O  white  brother,"  he  began.  "  For 
many  moons  the  Pale  Blossom  at  your  side  has  dwelt 
among  us  and  is  become  as  the  heart  of  the  tribe. 
As  the  rarest  flowers  are  sometimes  found  growing 
in  the  blackest  mire,  so  came  she  to  us  out  of  the 
arms  of  the  dead.  To  us  she  has  been  as  the  warmth 
of  the  sun,  as  the  light  of  the  stars,  as  the  perfume 
of  spring  buds.  Well  have  we  guarded  her!  The 
prizes  of  the  hunt,  the  ripest  fruits  and  tenderest 
grains  have  been  hers.  The  softest  skins  and  thick- 
est furs  were  fashioned  for  her  covering.  Well 
have  we  guarded  her  I     Now  she  returns  to  her  own 


lo  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

people  and  the  hearts  of  the  Algonklns  are  turned  to 
ashes.  The  White  Chief  calls  for  her  and  we  must 
heed  the  summons;  but  O  my  brother,  the  sun  will 
never  shine  so  brightly,  the  laughter  in  the  wigwams 
will  be  hushed,  the  singing  of  the  birds  will  bring 
no  joy  when  she  is  gone.  Guard  her  well,  O  my 
brother  I  Guard  her  well!  For  the  Great  Spirit 
guides  her  footsteps  and  woe  betide  the  one  who 
injures  her." 

For  an  instant  he  paused  and  looked  longingly 
at  the  little  maid;  then  straightening  to  his  full  height 
he  gazed  fixedly  at  Virrhage  and  slowly  raising  his 
arm  slowly  pointed  to  the  south. 

*'  Go  !  *'  he  called  in  a  loud  voice.  "  You  have  had 
your  wish.  Your  treasure  has  been  restored  to  you. 
Our  sorrow  we  would  bear  alone.     Go !  " 

There  was  no  mistaking  the  meaning  of  these 
final  words.  It  was  a  command  to  be  executed  forth- 
with, and  Virrhage  knew  well  that  this  was  no  time 
for  delay.  Never  had  he  seen  an  Indian  display  so 
much  feeling,  and  he  would  scarce  rest  easy  till  they 
were  well  upon  their  way  to  Nieuw  Amsterdam. 
Should  the  Sachem  repent  of  his  decision,  should  his 
evident  love  for  the  little  girl  get  the  better  of  his 
cool  judgment,  then  would  he  see  to  it  that  no  news 
of  their  expedition  ever  reached  the  White  Chief  in 
whose  name  the  demand  had  been  made. 

*'  We  hear  your  words,  O  Sachema,  and  will  guard 
the  treasure  well,"  Virrhage  answered,  and  again 
taking  the  hand  of  the  silent  little  figure  beside  him 
he  led  her  away;  his  band  following  in  silence. 

No  word  was  spoken  till  the  party  of  whites 
reached  their  camp,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  or  so  below 
the  Indian  village.  There,  as  Virrhage  well  ex- 
pected, the  grumbling  broke  forth. 

"  And  is  this  to  be  the  end  of  our  venture?  " 


An  Empty  Triumph  1 1 

That  was  the  burden  of  their  talk  and  VIrrhage 
knowing  the  sort  of  men  with  whom  he  had  to  deal 
was  none  too  sure  that,  in  the  bitterness  of  their 
chagrin,  he  would  be  able  to  control  them. 

"  Be  silent  I  "  he  commanded,  holding  to  his  bold 
front.  *'  It  would  be  more  seemly  were  you  down 
on  your  marrow-bones  giving  thanks  for  your  lives 
instead  of  blustering  at  me.  Think  you  that  we  are 
not  watched  even  now?  I  tell  you  there  are  sure  to 
be  scores  of  savage  eyes  upon  us  as  we  talk  here. 
Saw  you  not  that  it  was  like  to  break  the  Sachema's 
heart  to  part  with  the  little  maid?  If  he  repent,  it 
will  be  short  shrift  for  us." 

"  He  may  have  back  the  maid  for  all  of  us,"  came 
the  surly  answer. 

"  Aye,  and  good  riddance,"  VIrrhage  agreed, 
''  but  that  we  dare  not  tell  him,  as  you  would  know 
right  well  an  you  used  your  thick  wits." 

"  But  where  is  the  gold?  We  want  the  gold!  " 
The  snarling  chorus  rose  menacingly. 

"  Will  you  be  silent?  "  VIrrhage  cried  above  the 
clamour  of  their  anger;  but  even  as  he  spoke  the 
tall  form  of  the  chief  glided  Into  their  midst  and 
stood  protectlngly  beside  the  child,  his  tomahawk 
lifted  to  strike. 

VIrrhage  leaped  to  his  feet,  with  upraised  arms, 
palms  outward  as  a  sign  of  peace. 

"  Stay  thy  hand,  O  Sachema,"  he  pleaded. 

**  I  like  not  the  sound  of  your  voices,  O  white 
brother,"  the  Indian  cut  in  sharply.  "  The  words 
I  could  not  understand,  but  they  ring  not  with  the 
joy  of  those  whose  arrow  has  hit  the  mark.  You 
have  found  your  treasure.  Why  then  are  your 
words  like  the  angry  waters  of  a  swollen  stream?  " 

''  Nay,  we  but  dispute  the  pathway  of  our  journey 
back,"  VIrrhage  replied  lightly.     "  That  our  search 


12  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

is  ended  and  our  mission  fulfilled,  we  do  rejoice,  O 
Sachema !  "  and  he  forced  a  smile  into  his  weather- 
beaten  countenance. 

''Grin,  you  fools!"  he  murmured,  In  Dutch,  to 
his  companions,  and  they,  seeing  the  nearness  of  their 
peril,  jumped  to  their  feet  and  capered  about  in 
simulated  hilarity,  laughing  hoarsely  for  their  very 
lives. 

For  a  moment  or  two  the  Sachem  watched  them, 
his  glittering  eyes  searching  each  face  In  turn,  and 
at  length  the  lifted  tomahawk  was  slowly  lowered. 

A  gentle  rustling  in  the  woods  nearby,  a  half-heard 
sigh,  as  of  held  breath  suddenly  released,  a  stealthy 
shuffling  of  the  fallen  leaves,  were  signs  a-plenty 
to  warn  Virrhage  that  perchance  a  hundred  savages 
but  awaited  the  signal  to  kill  upon  the  Instant. 

Thus  it  was  with  a  feeling  of  intense  relief  that 
he  saw  the  Sachem  turn  to  leave  them;  but  the  child, 
suddenly  rising,  held  out  her  arms  in  mute  appeal. 

"  Nay,  flower  of  my  heart,  It  cannot  be,"  mur- 
mured the  Indian,  bending  to  the  little  form.  "  To 
thine  own  people  thou  must  return.  The  wigwam 
of  the  Sachem  is  as  an  empty  shell." 

He  stood  upright,  lifting  his  face  to  the  heavens, 
as  If  In  prayer. 

"  Guard  her  well!  "  he  cried  at  length,  fixing  his 
gaze  upon  Virrhage  menacingly,  then  stepping  back, 
he  was  lost  to  view  among  the  trees. 

*' Guard  her  well,  O  white  brother!"  came  the 
final  call  from  out  the  forest,  and  as  If  transfixed 
the  Dutchmen  held  their  places  rigidly,  straining 
their  ears  to  catch  the  sound  of  departing  foot-steps. 
After  a  time,  from  miles  away,  the  long  drawn  howl 
of  a  lo«nely  wolf  reached  them  faintly,  and  with  a 
shudder  they  sought  their  sleeping  places,  saying 
naught  further  of  the  gold  they  coveted. 


An  Empty  Triumph  13 

Virrhage  made  a  bed  for  the  child,  taking  pains 
that  the  balsam  boughs  were  of  the  finest,  and  when 
she  had  laid  herself  down,  he  covered  her  with  his 
blanket.  She  obeyed  him  when  he  spoke  to  her  in 
the  Indian  language,  but  of  Dutch  she  seemingly  had 
no  knowledge. 

To  himself  the  man  had  a  ready  explanation  of 
her  history.  It  was  no  unheard-of  thing  to  find 
white  children  among  the  savages.  In  their  raids 
among  the  lonely  bouweries  they  sometimes  spared 
a  baby  and  took  it  away  with  them.  This  little  maid 
might  easily  be  such  an  one  and  he  searched  his 
memory  for  some  well-nigh  forgotten  tale  of  a  rich 
Dutch  patroon  who  had  perchance  offered  many 
guilders  for  the  return  of  his  infant  daughter.  He 
was  not  minded  to  go  back  quite  empty-handed,  so 
for  more  than  one  reason  he  determined  to  have  a 
care  for  the  strange  little  girl.  The  more  he  thought 
of  a  possible  reward  for  her  discovery  the  more 
pleased  he  became  at  the  prospect;  but  he  resolved 
to  say  nothing  of  this  to  his  men.  He  was  satisfied 
that,  for  a  time  at  least,  their  fear  of  the  Indians 
would  keep  them  tractable.  Afterward  he  would 
see.  Jan  Virrhage  threw  himself  down  at  the  feet 
of  the  child  and  went  to  sleep. 

Early  the  next  morning  the  party  began  their 
journey  home.  A  three  days'  march,  through  the 
dense  forests  was  ahead  of  them  before  they  would 
reach  their  boat,  moored  in  the  upper  reaches  of  the 
Mauritius.  By  swamp  and  thicket  they  must  pass, 
stumbling  over  age-old  stumps  of  trees,  cutting  a 
path  in  the  tangle  of  wild  grape,  plodding  wearily 
up  hill  and  down,  with  naught  to  cheer  them  on  their 
way. 

They  set  about  it  doggedly,  always  conscious  that 
eyes  they  could  not  see  were  upon  them  and  fearful 


14  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

that  some  false  step  would  bring  swift  death  from 
the  dreaded  tomahawk. 

On  the  very  morning  of  their  start  they  learned 
that  they  were  still  silently  followed.  A  fresh-killed 
fawn  lay  near  the  fire,  and  none  knew  whence  it  had 
come.  Again,  a  basket  of  mulberries  left  beside  the 
child  showed  all  too  plainly  the  purpose  of  this  un- 
seen attendance,  and  although  not  one  of  the  party 
caught  so  much  as  a  glimpse  of  an  Indian  or  heard 
aught  save  the  cries  of  wild  animals,  none  doubted 
that  their  every  movement  was  noted  and  all  grew 
restive  under  the  gaze  of  these  hidden  watchers. 

They  reached  their  boat  at  noon  of  the  third  day 
and  tumbling  into  it,  made  haste  to  put  a  breadth 
of  water  betwixt  them  and  the  haunted  shore. 
Their  nerves  had  been  stretched  to  breaking  by  the 
constant  menace  about  them,  and  when  the  current 
of  the  river  swung  their  craft  out  into  the  centre  of 
the  great  stream,  they  could  not  forbear  a  shout  of 

**  Look!  "  cried  one  of  them,  pointing  shoreward. 
*'Look!'; 

On  a  high,  bald  bluff  stood  the  Sachem  and  beside 
him  his  squaw,  with  arms  outstretched  toward  the 
boat.  The  child  with  a  sob,  the  first  sign  of  emotion 
she  had  shown,  jumped  to  her  feet,  and  Virrhage, 
fearing  that  she  might  fall,  caught  her  about  the 
waist  and  steadied  her,  while  the  boat  slipped 
through  the  water  with  gathering  speed  as  the  north 
wind  filled  the  sail. 

In  silence  those  in  the  boat  watched  the  shore,  as 
the  distance  between  grew  wider  and  wider.  At 
length,  quite  suddenly,  the  two  figures  on  the  bluff 
vanished;  but  across  the  water  there  floated  the  faint 
echo  of  a  plaintive  cry. 

*'  O  Annet  I     My  little  Annet !  '' 


CHAPTER  III 

A   STRANGE    PEDLAR 

IN  the  ten  years  following  Jan  VIrrhage's  profit- 
less adventure  among  the  Indians  to  the  north, 
the  little  town  of  Nieuw  Amsterdam,  situate 
upon  the  south  end  of  the  Isleland  of  the  Manhad- 
does,  had  grown  busy  and  prosperous  under  the  ef- 
ficient if  somewhat  arbitrary  rule  of  his  High  Mighti- 
ness Peter  Stuyvesant,  Director  General  of  the 
Dutch  West  India  Company's  province  of  Nieuw 
Nederlandt. 

With  this  prosperity  came  better  houses,  cleaner 
streets  and  more  comfortable  living  conditions  gen- 
erally; for  the  thrifty  Hollanders,  remembering 
their  old  homes,  had  done  their  utmost  to  make  the 
new  colony  as  much  like  their  native  land  as  the 
circumstances  of  the  country  would  permit.  There 
were  canals  and  water-ways  a-plenty,  and  clumsy 
windmills  dotted  the  land  here  and  there;  but  per- 
haps the  most  characteristic  feature  was  the  profu- 
sion of  flowers,  blooming  in  glorious  abundance  dur- 
ing the  spring  and  summer  in  the  little  gardens  sur- 
rounding the  gabled  houses. 

In  one  of  the  brightest  of  these  patches  stood  the 
tiny  cottage  of  Vrouw  Pelgrom.  It  was  conven- 
iently placed  in  the  Marckvelt  Steegie,  a  lane  con- 
necting the  Market-place  by  the  Fort,  with  the  Heere 
Graft,  a  canal  leading  from  the  bay  well  up  into 
the  town.  Moreover  it  was  at  no  great  distance 
from  the  dwellings  of  the  Mevrouwen,  as  the  Dutch 

IS 


1 6  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

called  their  fine  ladles,  (which  fact  was  of  vast  Im- 
portance to  Vrouw  Pelgrom,)  and  the  house  was  not 
too  prominently  placed,  so  it  made  small  difference 
to  the  dame  if  her  nearest  neighbours  were  of  the 
commonality.  She  herself  was  no  better  born  and 
had  little  ambition  to  rise  above  her  station  In  life. 
Nor  would  any  such  ambition  have  been  tolerated, 
for  the  high  society  of  Nieuw  Amsterdam  was  as 
careful  of  its  dignities  and  as  mindful  of  its  class 
distinctions  as  any  Court  town  in  Europe. 

And  yet,  many  a  haughty  Mevrouw  in  search  of 
beautifying  found  her  way,  soon  or  late,  to  this 
humble  little  house,  for  it  was  the  business  of  the 
dame  to  minister  to  the  small  vanities  of  the  gentle- 
women of  the  colony.  For  moles  or  warts,  for 
freckles,  sunbrown  or  scanty  locks  there  were  none 
whose  remedies  equalled  those  to  be  found  there. 
Pomades  and  perfumes,  salves  and  ointments,  bear's 
grease  for  the  hair  and  colour  for  faded  cheeks  were 
all  to  be  had  for  a  price;  nor  did  the  dame  hesitate 
to  vow  roundly  that  her  medicines  and  drafts  were 
as  efficacious  for  the  inner  man  as  those  of  any 
learned  doctor  in  the  province.  In  short  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  did  a  thriving  trade,  and  waxed  fat  and 
prosperous  as  the  town  grew  in  wealth  and  popu- 
lation. 

One  warm  day  in  May,  In  the  year  1663,  a  man 
with  a  pack  a-top  his  back  came  briskly  up  the  Marck- 
velt  Steegle  and  stopped  before  the  cottage.  He 
glanced  sharply  at  the  herbs  between  the  beds  of 
brilliant  tulips  showing  bravely  In  the  afternoon  sun, 
and  nodded  his  head  as  if  they  satisfied  him  that  he 
had  found  the  place  he  sought;  then  mounting  the 
steps  of  the  stoep  he  pushed  in  through  the  door 
without  ceremony. 

Upon  his  entrance  the  sad,  monotonous  humming 


A  Strange  Pedlar  17 

of  the  spInnlng-wheel  was  silenced  and  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom  looked  up  in  surprise,  her  foot  upon  the  treadle 
slowly  staying  its  motion. 

The  breath  of  fresh  air  he  had  admitted  was  grate- 
ful in  that  over-scented  room;  but  a  girl  of  some 
fifteen  years,  busily  braying  herbs  in  a  mortar  for 
one  of  the  dame's  famous  pomades,  never  raised 
her  eyes  from  her  task.  She  had  been  early  taught 
to  hold  down  her  head  and  to  look  neither  right  nor 
left  at  the  lifting  of  the  latch;  which  indeed  was  a 
needful  precaution  from  the  very  nature  of  Vrouw 
Pelgrom's  business.  Her  Mightiness  Mevrouw 
Henricxs,  for  example,  was  little  like  to  come  often 
to  a  woman  who  let  any  one  stare  at  her  while  the 
hairs  yet  sprouted  from  her  chin.  Nor  would  the 
Van  der  Donck  young  ladies  be  well  pleased  if  it 
were  noised  abroad  that  the  roses  In  their  cheeks 
owed  aught  to  "  French  rooge  '^  carefully  com- 
pounded by  a  fat  old  Dutch  woman  of  Nieuw  Am- 
sterdam, and  there  were  other  fair  ones  of  the  town 
In  like  case.  So  the  maid  who  helped  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom  went  on  with  her  task  as  if  naught  had  oc- 
curred. 

But,  though  her  eyes  were  fixed  upon  her  work, 
her  ears  were  sharp  to  catch  the  slightest  sound, 
and  the  noise  of  a  snap-sack  set  heavily  upon  the 
floor  told  her  that  here  was  one  out  of  the  ordinary 
run  of  their  visitors. 

"What  are  your  needs,  good  dame?"  the  man 
began  at  once,  in  the  sing-song  patter  of  the  pedlar. 
"  I've  fine  pins  and  needles  from  Holland  and  rare 
laces  from  France.  Fve  nose-cloths  fit  for  a  prin- 
cess and  linen  stockings  none  need  feel  ashamed  to 
wear.  Fve  combs  for  the  hair,  brass  earrings,  cop- 
per buckles  and  beads  to  make  — ." 

*'  Nay  now,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  interrupted  with  a 


1 8  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

deep  chuckle,  *'  we  be  not  red  Indians  to  hang  your 
gaudy  beads  about  our  persons.'* 

"  Count  the  beads  unsaid,"  the  man  returned 
quickly,  "  and  yet,"  he  went  on  with  a  glance  at  the 
girl  by  the  table,  "  'tis  in  my  mind  that  these  might 
well  become  your  fair  daughter,"  and  he  held  up  a 
string  of  blue  ones  temptingly. 

*'  Daughter  she  Is  not,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  retorted, 
"  nor  fair,  neither,  as  is  plain  to  be  seen;  but  dark 
as  any  Mohawk." 

*' Nay,  good  Vrouw,  you  miss  my  meaning — " 
the  man  began,  but  she  cut  In  tartly. 

"  I  take  your  meaning  well  enough,"  she  said. 
"  Get  you  to  your  business  or  leave  me  to  mine. 
The  day  will  be  spent  ere  I  finish  my  stint  an  I  listen 
longer  to  your  chatter." 

The  portly  dame  eyed  the  man  sharply  as  she 
spoke,  for  there  was  that  about  him  that  set  her 
wondering  if  he  was  indeed  only  the  pedlar  he  pro- 
claimed himself. 

The  stranger,  busy  at  his  snap-sack,  fumbled  with 
its  contents  and  at  length  held  up  a  pair  of  brilliant 
red  stockings. 

''  Saw  you  ever  such  clocks?  "  he  cried  admiringly. 
''  I'll  warrant  they'll  set  off  a  well-turned  ankle  finely 
when  it  moves  in  the  dance." 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  threw  back  her  head  and  laughed 
aloud,  her  fat  sides  shaking  In  her  mirth.  The  man, 
taking  advantage  of  this,  glanced  furtively  at  the 
girl  beside  the  table  as  if  to  note  how  far  he  had 
Intrigued  her  interest;  but  for  all  he  could  observe 
his  talk  of  blue  beads  and  bright-hued  stockings  had 
fallen  upon  deaf  ears. 

"  Ho !  Ho !  "  Vrouw  Pelgrom  burst  out  mock- 
ingly, "  you  come  to  the  right  party  with  your  gaudy 
hosiery!     The  dealer  who  offers  spectacles  to  the 


A  Strange  Pedlar  19 

blind,  or  dancing-slippers  to  the  lame  Is  like  to  go 
hungry  to  bed,"  she  ended  dryly.  In  truth  she 
weighed  twenty  stone  and  had  given  up  all  thought 
of  ankles  and  waist  for  many  years. 

"  Nay,  good  dame,"  the  pedlar  answered  readily, 
"  green  at  my  trade  I  may  be,  but  though  'tis  my 
first  visit  to  Nieuw  Amsterdam  yet  knew  I  enough 
not  to  pack  perfumes  and  essences.  The  reputation 
of  Vrouw  Pelgrom's  still  warned  me  that  I  should 
lack  a  market  for  such  wares." 

Now  It  Is  the  nature  of  the  Dutch  to  be  suspicious 
of  soft  words,  and  Vrouw  Pelgrom  was  no  excep- 
tion to  the  rule.  She  dropped  her  half-bantering 
manner  and  glanced  sharply  at  the  man  kneeling  on 
the  floor  before  his  pack.  She  began  to  suspect  that 
It  was  rather  to  buy  than  to  sell  that  he  had  come, 
but  of  this  she  could  In  no  wise  be  sure  as  yet.  She 
was  certain,  however,  that  she  would  do  well  to  be 
upon  her  guard  until  his  true  purpose  stood  revealed. 

"  'Tis  well  for  me  you  spare  my  poor  trade,"  she 
said,  with  a  hint  of  raillery  In  her  tone.  "  Seeing 
that  you  keep  no  fire  and  no  light,  beside  escaping 
all  shop  taxes,  to  undersell  me  you  could  well  afford." 

"  Nay,  '  live  and  let  live,'  Is  my  motto,"  the  man 
hastened  to  assure  her.  "  I  am  but  striving  to  make 
a  start  In  life.  When  I  have  earned  money  enough, 
perchance  I  shall  buy  a  burgher  right  and  settle 
down." 

"  Meanwhile  you  would  tempt  me  to  break  the 
law  by  buying  from  one  who  has  no  shop !  "  The 
dame  retorted. 

"  Twixt  friends  there's  naught  for  sale,"  he  an- 
swered readily.  *'  Should  you  like  one  of  my  trin- 
kets — "  he  shrugged  invitingly,  '*  I  give  It  to  you 
freely.  And  you,  not  to  be  beholden  to  me,  present 
me  with  a  florin  or  two." 


20  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"Good  lack  I"  cried  the  dame.  "A  florin  or 
two!  The  Director  General  is  right  when  he  for- 
bids us  to  trade  with  such  as  you.  You  would  carry 
all  the  minted  money  out  of  the  province.  If  there 
are  to  be  gifts  between  us,  you  must  rest  content  with 
zeewant  or  a  mink  skin." 

"  All's  one  as  to  that,"  the  man  replied.  "  But 
touching  his  High  Mightiness,  the  Governor,  'tis  said 
his  bark  is  worse  than  his  bite." 

"  He  has  a  long  arm  to  reach  law  breakers," 
Vrouw  Pelgrom  answered  cautiously. 

"  Aye,  but  a  ready  wink  for  certain  sorts  of  trade," 
the  man  insisted,  lowering  his  voice. 

For  a  moment  the  two  eyed  each  other  under- 
standingly,  Vrouw  Pelgrom  seeing  plainly  that  she 
had  not  got  to  the  meat  of  the  pedlar's  errand. 
With  none  by  to  listen,  the  affair  might  the  more 
quickly  come  to  a  head.  Having  this  in  mind  she 
turned  toward  the  girl. 

"  Annetje,"  she  said,  "  do  not  forget  thy  linen." 

The  girl  put  down  her  pestle  and  for  the  first  time 
looked  squarely  at  the  pedlar.  She  had  taken  for 
granted  that  he  was  a  man  of  middle  age  at  least, 
but  she  faced  a  youth  little  more  than  a  boy  in  years, 
and  very  personable.  In  spite  of  his  well-worn, 
clumsily  cut  duffles  and  the  dust  of  the  road  upon 
him,  he  yet  had  a  certain  air  that  seemed  fitter  for 
finer  raiment.  Perhaps  something  of  the  surprise 
she  felt  showed  in  her  face,  for  the  man,  with  a  short 
nod  as  if  what  he  saw  in  her  expression  satisfied  him, 
dropped  his  eyes  to  his  pack. 

"  I  will  go  at  once,  Vrouw  Pelgrom,"  she  an- 
swered, and  taking  off  her  apron  hung  it  up  and 
started  for  the  door. 

"  Bring  first  my  strings  of  wampum,  Annetje,"  the 
dame  commanded,  and  the  girl  disappeared  into  an 


A  Strange  Pedlar  21 

inner  room,  returned  at  once  with  a  bulky  bag  which 
she  deposited  in  the  Vrouw's  ample  lap. 

"  See  that  thou  comest  to  no  harm,  my  dear,'*  said 
the  old  woman,  and  there  was  a  look  of  affection 
in  her  fat,  round  face  as  her  eyes  followed  the  girl 
to  the  door. 

Annetje  turned  to  her  with  a  smile  of  reassurance 
and  went  out  upon  the  stoep. 

''  And  now  what  is  the  real  nature  of  your  busi- 
ness with  me?"  she  heard  Vrouw  Pelgrom  ask 
sharply,  as  she  started  up  the  Steegie  toward  the 
Heere  Graft. 

Annetje,  thinking  naught  more  of  the  pedlar  or 
his  affairs,  went  quickly  upon  her  errand  until  she 
reached  the  high  fence  protecting  the  town  upon  the 
north.  Picking  her  way  on  the  stepping-stones 
across  the  muddy  lane  bordering  the  palisade,  she 
could  scarce  have  guessed  that  it  was  destined  to 
become  the  most  famous  street  on  the  American 
Continent. 

She  had  no  trouble  in  finding  a  breach  in  the  bar- 
ricade for  it  was  in  a  vile  state  of  disrepair,  many 
of  the  palings  having  been  chopped  up  for  firewood 
—  and  once  through  she  was  in  the  open  country, 
free  to  take  her  own  pathway  to  her  goal.  She  still 
went  northward,  heading  for  the  Maagde  Paetje,  or 
Virgin's  Path,  an  open  grassy  place  on  the  upper 
bank  of  a  brook  where  the  maids  of  Nieuw  Amster- 
dam washed  and  dried  their  clothes. 

It  was  the  custom  of  the  girls  to  take  turns  at 
standing  guard  while  the  linen  bleached  in  the  sun, 
for  although  Governor  Stuyvesant  had  ordered  all 
domestic  animals  confined,  and  the  hogs  had  ringed 
noses  since  they  had  rooted  up  the  streets  and  nigh 
rooted  down  the  Fort,  there  were  many  dogs  at 
large,  and  it  was  needful  to  have  some  one  upon  the 


22  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

watch.  On  this  day  Grietje  Olpherts  was  in  charge, 
and  she  came  to  meet  Annetje  with  a  long  face. 

"Oh,  pray,  blame  me  not!"  she  cried,  ere  An- 
netje had  reached  her  side.  "  The  old  grey  goose 
and  her  flock  walked  right  across  Vrouw  Pelgrom's 
cornet  cap."  And  she  held  it  up  by  one  muddied 
string. 

Annetje  took  It  without  a  word  of  reproach  while 
Grietje  stuttered  out  her  explanation. 

"  The  man  had  such  beautiful  coral  pendants  with 
hooks  that  gleamed  like  gold,"  she  went  on.  "  I 
had  never  seen  the  like  before  —  and  whiles  I  tried 
them  on  and  stole  but  one  look  In  the  mirror  he 
held  to  see  how  they  set  me,  the  old  goose  — ." 

"  Nay,  'tis  a  great  pother  to  make  over  so  small 
a  matter,"  Annetje  interrupted,  as  she  knelt  by  the 
stream  to  wash  the  cap  anew,  with  Grietje  standing 
by  irresolute. 

"  I  wish  I  had  cleansed  It  for  you,"  she  said,  half 
complainlngly.  "  I  would  have  done  so,  indeed  I 
would,  had  I  not  feared  to  tear  it.  The  stuff  is  as 
tender  as  cobwebs." 

"  Waste  no  more  words  over  it,"  Annetje  insisted. 
*'  I  must  e'en  take  it  home  wet,  that's  all." 

"  If  you  would  but  scold  I  think  I  would  not  mind 
so  much,"  Grietje  whined.  "  Were  it  any  girl  but 
you  I  should  have  a  fine  rating.  'Tis  as  I  told  the 
pedlar,  you  are  not  like  us  at  all!  " 

"  What  like  of  a  man  was  this  pedlar?  "  Annetje 
questioned,  with  a  glance  upward  over  her  shoulder. 

*'  I  vow  he  was  most  personable,"  Grietje  an- 
swered with  enthusiasm,  glad  to  change  the  subject, 
"  and  like  no  pedlar  ever  I  saw  before.  He  was  no 
crotchety  old  skinflint,  but  young  and  most  engaging 
In  manner;  though  he  seemed  somewhat  artless  at 
his  business." 


A  Strange  Pedlar  23 

"Aye,"  agreed  Annetje,  *' he  is  Indeed  a  queer 
sort  of  merchant  who  seeks  his  customers  among  the 
laundry  women  at  the  brook  who  haven't  the  worth 
of  a  florin  piece  among  them.  To  me  It  seems  fitter 
that  one  who  wants  to  sell  his  wares  should  carry 
them  to  the  fat  purses  of  the  Perel  Straat  or  the 
Hooge  Straat  rather  than  to  the  flat  ones  of  the 
Marckvelt  Steegie." 

"  Mean  you  he  went  to  Vrouw  Pelgrom's  to  see 
you?  "  exclaimed  Grietje,  vastly  Interested. 

"  Nay,  not  to  see  me,  but  to  sell  to  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom,"  Annetje  answered  shortly. 

"  'Twas  naught  of  the  kind  took  him  to  the 
Marckvelt  Steegie,"  Grietje  Insisted  positively. 
^'  'Twas  you  he  went  to  see.  Once  I  had  told  him 
all  I  could  of  you,  no  more  time  would  he  give  to 
me.  I  begged  him  for  one  last  look  at  the  coral 
danglers,  but  no!  He  snapped  shut  his  portmantle 
and  was  off  at  a  trot.     What  say  you  to  that?  " 

"  That  I  am  no  peep-show  to  be  gaped  at  without 
payment  of  a  stuyver!  "  Annetje  retorted  rising  to 
her  feet  and  gently  wringing  the  water  from  the  cap 
in  her  hand,  ''  and  hereafter,  Grietje  Olpherts,  I'll 
thank  you  to  remember  not  to  call  my  name  nor  tell 
my  story  to  every  chance-met  stranger  that  comes 
riding  Into  town  upon  a  Narraganset  pacer." 

"  Hey  day,"  cried  Grietje,  *'  here's  a  great  todo 
because  I  mentioned  you  In  friendly  speech." 

"  I  do  not  hold  with  such  sudden  friendships," 
Annetje  rejoined  frigidly. 

Grietje  tossed  her  head,  angered  at  the  rebuff. 

"  Nay,  you're  as  proud  as  the  Muscovy  Duke, 
great  Stuyvesant  himself,'^  she  burst  out  wrathfully. 
''  'TIs  as  all  the  maids  say.  You  are  not  like  us 
with  your  silent  ways  and  cold  speech.  'Tis  in  my 
mind  you're  not  Dutch  at  all." 


24  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"Not  Dutch?"  said  Annetje  quickly.  "What 
other  could  I  be?  The  Indians  themselves  always 
said  I  was  a  paleface." 

"  The  wilden  are  but  savages  and  know  naught," 
Grietje  retorted,  gathering  up  her  linen.  "  You're 
more  like  the  English  who  think  themselves  vastly 
superior  to  us  and  mix  only  with  Mevrouwen  and 
Heeren.  'Tis  a  fine  pass  we've  come  to,  an  I  may 
not  name  Annetje  Pelgrom  to  *  chance-met  stran- 
gers!'"^ 

Annetje  made  no  reply  and  Grietje  seized  her 
packed  hampers,  fastened  them  to  a  yoke  and,  stoop- 
ing under  it,  lifted  her  burden. 

"  I  leave  your  High  Mightiness  to  walk  home 
alone,"  she  sneered  and,  with  a  final  toss  of  her 
head,  she  went  off. 

Annetje  seemed  not  at  all  affected  by  this  spiteful 
outburst  of  Grietje's.  She  examined  the  cap  she 
held  and,  finding  that  It  still  bore  the  marks  of  the 
grey  goose's  promenade,  stooped  and  dipped  It  in 
the  stream  once  more.  She  rinsed  It  carefully  and 
when  it  was  quite  clean  spread  It  upon  the  grass, 
seating  herself  upon  a  stone  nearby. 

She  made  a  beautiful  and  appealing  figure  as  she 
sat  alone  in  the  red  glow  of  the  setting  sun.  Her 
black  hair,  In  striking  contrast  with  her  white  cap, 
grew  peaked  over  her  brow  and  low  on  her  temples, 
but  was  brushed  back,  without  the  pomatum  or 
candling  other  Dutch  maidens  thought  needful,  and 
fell  in  two  thick  braids  behind.  Her  eyes,  large  and 
long  In  shape,  were  brown,  and  fringed  with  curved 
lashes,  showing  clearly  against  a  skin  the  colour  of 
old  ivory  that  had  the  tinge  of  glowing  youth  be- 
neath. A  nose,  straight  and  fine  cut,  was  evidence 
that  she  lacked  not  strength  of  purpose;  but  It  was 
her  mouth  that  held  the  eye.     The  lips  were  very 


A  Strange  Pedlar  25 

red,  no  Cupid's  bow  but  wide  and  mobile.  And 
they  had  a  trick  of  closing  firmly  over  her  strong, 
small  teeth  as  if  they  meant  to  keep  all  her  secrets 
within.  Now  they  drooped  a  little,  for  feeling  her- 
self alone,  there  was  no  need  to  guard  the  portal  of 
her  speech,  and  this  gave  a  hint  of  sadness  to  her 
face,  and  added  a  maturity  beyond  her  years. 

In  truth,  Annetje  was  more  puzzled  than  sad, 
as  she  sat  thinking  over  her  past  life.  For  Grietje's 
ill-temper  she  cared  not  at  all,  but  the  girl's  angry 
words  had  set  her  reflecting  upon  herself. 

Could  it  be  possible  that  she  was  English  as 
Grietje  had  hinted?  She  had  never  before  doubted 
that  Dutch  blood  ran  in  her  veins  nor  did  she  hail 
this  new  suggestion  with  joy.  Yet  she  realized  that 
she  was  unlike  the  other  maids  with  whom  she  asso- 
ciated. She  could  not  chatter  lightly  of  her  thoughts 
and  feelings  as  they  did,  and  so  she  often  kept  silent, 
attending  to  her  own  affairs  and  earning  a  reputation 
for  pride. 

Nevertheless  she  had  no  consciousness  of  holding 
herself  aloof,  nor  did  she  think  herself  in  any  way 
their  superior.  Inwardly  she  recognized  some 
subtle  difference,  but  until  that  moment  she  had  never 
sought  an  explanation.  Could  it  be  that  Grietje  had 
hit  upon  a  true  solution  of  the  puzzle? 

She  sat  awhile  musing,  then  suddenly  raised  her 
head. 

"  Well,"  she  said  aloud,  "  at  least  I  am  Dutch 
enough  not  to  like  the  EngHsh." 

"  That  must  be  because  you  do  not  know  them," 
a  voice  from  behind  her  said,  and  turning  she  looked 
up  into  the  face  of  the  young  pedlar,  who  had  come 
across  the  sward  unheard. 


CHAPTER  IV 

A    CHANCE    ENCOUNTER 

A  NNETJE  felt  both  surprise  and  annoyance  at 
i\  this  unexpected  appearance  of  the  pedlar  but 
-*■  -^  she  showed  neither  the  one  nor  the  other. 
She  was  as  quick  to  hide  her  feehngs  as  any  Indian, 
and  the  young  man  saw  but  a  tightening  of  the  lips 
as  she  rose  to  her  feet  and  without  haste  began  to 
gather  together  her  wash. 

He  watched  her  for  a  moment  or  two,  finding  it 
hard  to  believe  in  her  complete  indifference  to  him, 
then  doffed  his  hat  politely  and  spoke  again. 

'*  If  I  have  offended,"  he  said  pleasantly,  ''  I  stand 
ready  to  make  amends,  an  you  will  but  say  wherein 
the  offence  lies." 

*'  There  can  be  no  quarrel  betwixt  strangers,"  An- 
netje  answered  calmly,  "  so  there  need  be  no  talk  of 
amends." 

"  It  is  to  break  down  the  barrier  of  strangeness 
that  I  have  sought  you  out,"  the  man  replied  rather 
eagerly.  "  There  is  that  'twixt  us  which  should 
make  us  friends,  at  least."  He  emphasized  the  last 
words  and  looked  searchingly  at  the  girl. 

Annetje  met  his  eyes,  trying  to  read  In  them  the 
meaning  that  lay  behind  his  speech.  She  had  evi- 
dence in  plenty  that  he  had  sought  her  with  set  intent. 
His  talk  to  Grietje,  his  prompt  visit  to  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom  and  his  following  her  to  the  Maagde  Paetje 
left  no  room  for  doubt  that  she  was  the  object  of 
his  quest.  For  what  purpose  she  could  in  no  wise 
guess,  but  that  it  was  a  secret  one  was  plain,  else 

26 


A  Chance  Encounter  27 

why  did  he  not  speak  out  when  first  he  had  seen  her? 

She  regarded  the  man  for  a  time,  uncertain  of 
her  ground  but  thoroughly  distrustful  of  him;  while 
he,  noting  something  of  her  hesitancy  and  guessing 
the  cause  of  it,  changed  his  tactics  again. 

"  Indeed  I  meant  not  to  presume,"  he  said,  with 
an  air  of  great  straightforwardness.  *'  I  am  very 
lonesome  in  this  strange  town  and  you,  being  a  gentle 
little  maid,  I  thought  might  take  pity  on  me  and 
perchance  advise  where  I  had  best  go  to  sell  my 
wares,  that  I  may  the  sooner  be  home  again  among 
my  kinsfolk." 

The  appeal  to  Annetje's  generosity  brought  instant 
response. 

"  'Tis  true  you  show  most  wonderful  bad  judg- 
ment as  a  merchant,"  she  answered,  quite  disarmed. 

"  Indeed  I  have  much  to  learn,"  he  agreed  good- 
naturedly.  "  Tell  me  wherein  I  may  better  my 
selling?"   ^ 

"  By  going  to  the  houses  of  the  rich,"  Annetje 
replied,  in  the  tone  of  one  instructing  a  child. 
"  There  you  may  dispose  of  your  goods  readily  and 
be  in  slight  danger  of  having  an  information  laid 
against  you." 

"  Sure  the  pedlar's  law  is  not  observed,"  the  man 
protested. 

"  Count  not  on  that,"  Annetje  warned  him. 
"  Ask  your  way  from  house  to  house,  and  venture 
not  to  the  door  of  a  burghermeester  or  schepen  lest 
perchance  they  seize  the  opportunity  to  prove  their 
zeal  before  the  Governor,  who  is  not  one  to  deal 
lightly  with  those  who  set  his  regulations  at  naught." 

"  I  thank  you  for  that  word  of  caution."  The 
man  spoke  with  seeming  sincerity.  "  What  else 
would  you  advise?  " 

"  For  one  thing,"  said  the  girl,  "  you  waste  your 


28  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

time  trying  to  sell  to  such  as  I  and  Grietje  Olpherts/' 

"  Do  you  not  earn  a  wage  that  you  may  spend 
as  you  please?  "  the  pedlar  interrupted  with  feigned 
surprise.     "Among  the  English — ." 

"  I  knew  you  were  never  a  Hollander,"  Annetje 
laughed  triumphantly,  pleased  with  her  own  sharp- 
ness. *'  They're  keen  on  the  scent  of  money  and 
none  can  better  them  in  buying  and  selling." 

''  Better  them,''  repeated  the  pedlar,  hfting  his 
brows.  "  'Tis  plain  you  know  you  are  not  Dutch 
else  would  you  have  said  '  us.'  " 

"  What  mean  you?  "  demanded  Annetje. 

"  That  the  English  should  stand  together,"  he 
answered,  looking  at  her  meaningly. 

To  Annetje  the  purport  of  his  words  was  plain 
enough  and  her  lips  tightened.  For  the  second  time 
within  the  hour  the  suggestion  had  been  made  that 
she  was  English  and  there  was  something  in  the 
man's  manner  that  hinted  at  a  special  knowledge  of 
the  matter.  She  did  not  hide  from  herself  the  fact 
that  she  would  have  given  a  good  deal  to  learn  what 
that  special  knowledge  might  be;  but  it  was  quite 
impossible  for  her  to  discuss  personal  affairs  with 
a  stranger.  She  had  found  it  difficult  to  talk  of 
herself  even  with  Vrouw  Pelgrom  of  whom  she  was 
very  fond,  and  that  good  dame  had  more  than  once 
reflected  upon  Annetje's  seeming  indifference  to  her 
own  early  history.  So  now,  in  spite  of  a  strong  de- 
sire to  question  the  pedlar,  Annetje  turned  from  him 
and  busied  herself  with  packing  her  hampers. 

The  man  lacked  not  a  certain  shrewdness,  and 
realizing  that  he  had  moved  too  fast  in  his  desire 
to  gain  the  maid's  confidence,  he  held  his  peace  until 
she  stooped  to  pick  up  her  baskets. 

''  Let  me  help  you,"  he  said,  politely,  stepping 
forward  and  offering  a  hand. 


A  Chance  Encounter  29 

Annetje,  annoyed,  shook  her  head,  and  started 
upon  her  way  home.  She  wished  now  to  be  alone 
to  puzzle  out  for  herself  the  meaning  that  lay  behind 
the  stranger's  words;  but  he  had  no  intention  of 
quitting  her  as  yet  and  paced  beside  her  for  a  time 
in  silence. 

*'  'Tis  plain,"  he  began  at  length,  "  that  you  dis- 
trust me.  I  am  sorry,  but  to  prove  that  you  need 
have  no  doubt  of  me  I  am  going  to  put  my  life  in 
your  hands."  He  paused  and  eyed  her  closely  while 
she  gave  no  sign  of  even  having  heard  him. 

*'  I  am  not  the  pedlar  I  would  have  the  Dutch  be- 
lieve," he  went  on  quietly.  "  I  play  at  that  game 
to  gain  certain  ends  that  will  be  useful  in  the  days 
to  come." 

"You  are  an  English  spy!"  Annetje  exclaimed, 
coming  to  a  halt  and  seating  herself  by  her  baskets. 

"  Call  it  what  name  pleases  you,"  the  man  returned 
coolly,  standing  beside  her.  "  'Tis  all  one,  so  long 
as  the  stupid  Hollanders  think  me  but  a  harmless 
merchant;  but  as  you  are  not  Dutch,  so  — " 

*'  How  know  you  that  I  shall  not  tell  the  authori- 
ties? "  she  demanded,  breaking  in  upon  his  words. 

"  Because  I  judge  you  are  not  one  to  betray  a 
confidence,"  he  answered.  "  And  moreover,"  he 
went  on,  dropping  his  voice  to  a  significant  whisper, 
*'  when  the  English  take  the  province  you  will  have 
your  rights." 

Annetje's  lips  opened  to  frame  the  question  upper- 
most in  her  mind,  but  of  a  sudden  they  closed  tightly 
again. 

*'  We  part  here,"  she  remarked  after  a  moment's 
silence. 

"  Nay,  our  ways  lie  together,"  he  replied 
smoothly.  "  I  lodge  but  two  cottages  above  you 
with  honest  Claes  Van  Elslandt,  the  sexton." 


30  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  You  had  best  go  on  alone,"  Annetje  replied. 
"  You  will  have  two  minutes  start  of  me  while  I 
fix  my  baskets  so  that  they  balance  better."  In  truth 
her  burden  was  already  arranged  to  her  liking,  but 
she  longed  to  be  rid  of  the  man  without  offence  so 
made  this  excuse. 

"  I  do  not  mind  waiting,"  the  pedlar  rejoined, 
smiling  broadly.  "  *Tis  late  for  a  maid  to  be  alone. 
There  are  red-skins  on  the  island." 

"  I  have  no  fear  of  Indians,"  Annetje  retorted 
curtly. 

"  Oh,  but  I  have !  "  the  pedlar  replied,  with  a 
playful  chuckle. 

"  Then  you  should  leave  here,"  the  girl  replied, 
angered  at  his  persistence,  and  of  a  sudden  she 
clapped  her  hands  smartly. 

They  were  still  in  the  woods,  and  at  her  signal 
there  was  a  rustling  in  the  thicket  near  them  and  a 
tall  Indian  brave  strode  to  her  side  and  stood  mo- 
tionless. 

For  an  instant  the  pedlar  gasped  in  amazement; 
then,  with  something  of  an  effort,  he  recovered  his 
composure  sufficiently  to  doff  his  hat  to  the  girl. 

"  I  see  you  need  no  protection  from  me,"  he  mur- 
mured, and  straightway  set  off  toward  the  town. 

Annetje,  with  a  sigh  of  relief,  gathered  up  her 
baskets  and  started  on.  This  time  she  skirted  the 
barrier  and  made  for  the  Breede  Weg  which  would 
lead  her  through  the  gate  and  thence  to  the  market- 
place near  her  home.  The  Indian  watched  her 
silently,  making  no  move  to  help  her  with  her  baskets, 
but  evidently  alert  to  guard  her  from  all  harm. 

For  a  time  they  went  on  through  the  woods,  the 
tall  savage  leading  to  show  the  easiest  route,  until 
presently  they  came  out  upon  the  road  where  he 
dropped  back  to  her  side. 


'*  When  the  English  take  the  Province  you  will  have  you 
rights  — " 


A  Chance  Encounter  31 

"  The  paleface  has  the  eyes  of  a  weasel,"  the 
brave  said  suddenly,  in  his  own  language,  referring 
to  the  pedlar. 

"  He  meant  no  harm  to  me,"  Annetje  replied  in 
the  Indian  tongue.  ''  And  yet  he  would  not  go 
away.  I  knew  not  whether  my  red  brother  would 
be  near  when  I  called." 

"  Some  one  of  thy  people  is  always  near,  O  Pale 
Blossom,"  the  Indian  answered  in  a  matter  of  fact 
tone. 

*'  But  why  is  some  one  always  there?  "  she  asked. 

"  That  is  not  even  for  a  brave  to  know,  my  sister," 
came  the  reply.  "  The  Sachem  sends  forth  word 
that  the  paleface  child  is  to  come  to  no  harm.  It 
has  been  so  for  many,  many  moons.  A  red  brother 
is  always  near." 

"  Yes,"  Annetje  said,  slowly,  "  yet  why,  O  red 
brother?     Why?     That  is  the  mystery  to  me." 

They  walked  on  for  a  time  in  silence,  drawing 
nearer  to  the  gate  in  the  barrier,  the  Indian  striding 
beside  the  girl,  his  face  set  and  impassive  as  he 
looked  straight  ahead  toward  the  town. 

"  The  Sachem  likes  it  not  that  his  pale  daughter- 
does  the  work  of  a  low-born  squaw,"  he  grunted 
after  a  time.  *'  The  Sachem's  daughter  is  a  princess 
and  it  is  not  fit  that  she  should  do  this  or  that  at 
the  bidding  of  a  fat  one." 

''  And  yet  the  Sachem  has  not  sought  his  pale 
daughter,"  said  Annetje,  half  to  herself.  *'  She  has 
not  seen  his  wigwam  since  she  was  a  little  child. 
Why,  O  red  brother?" 

"  It  is  not  for  this  warrior  to  know,"  the  Indian 
answered.  "  Yet  could  the  Pale  Blossom  find  that 
wigwam  Hke  the  arrow  its  mark  did  she  but  give  the 
sign." 

*'  Perchance  some  day  she  will  go,"  Annetje  re- 


32  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

joined.  "  The  heart  of  thy  sister  Is  very  tender  for 
all  who  abide  in  the  wigwam  of  the  Sachem,  her 
father,  and  for  her  who  was  her  mother  there  Is  a 
love  that  Is  as  deep  as  is  the  great  river.  O  my  red 
brother,  when  the  white  clouds  sail  high  In  the  blue 
sky,  and  the  birds  call  from  tree  to  tree  in  the  bright 
light  of  the  sun,  when  It  is  the  moon  of  blossoms, 
then  thy  sister  longs  with  a  great  longing  for  the 
villages  of  her  people." 

"  Then  why  does  the  Pale  Blossom  not  return  to 
the  wigwams  of  the  Esopus?"  the  Indian  ques- 
tioned. 

Annetje  shook  her  head  in  perplexity. 

'*  The  word  went  forth  that  the  Pale  Blossom 
must  abide  with  the  palefaces,"  she  replied,  "  so 
does  she  abide,  waiting  for  the  day  when  all  shall 
be  made  clear.     Till  then  all  is  mystery." 

The  Indian  grunted  acquiescence.  Annetje,  by 
his  side,  let  her  thoughts  wander,  striving  for  a  start- 
ing point  at  which  she  could  make  a  beginning  to 
untangle  the  skein  of  her  past  life.  She  knew  so 
little  of  herself,  and  now  new  doubts  were  coming 
thick  and  fast.  Could  it  be  possible  that  the  pedlar 
had  an  answer  to  the  questions  crowding  in  upon 
her?  Was  it  true  that  she  was  indeed  English  and 
not  Dutch  as  she  had  supposed?  She  resolved  to 
learn  more  from  him,  being  certain  that  he  would 
seek  her  again. 

Meanwhile  the  strangely  assorted  pair  came  to 
the  gate  in  the  stockade.  Passing  through  they  met 
a  small  party  of  distinguished  men  walking  along 
upon  an  inspection  of  the  wall.  In  the  lead  was  an 
energetic,  oldish  man,  who  stumped  ahead  on  a 
wooden  leg  bound  with  bands  of  silver,  beside  a 
fair-faced  youth  of  some  sixteen  years.     They  and 


A  Chance  Encounter  33 

all  their  companions  were  bravely  dressed  as  befitted 
folk  of  such  quality. 

There  was  an  abrupt  halt  and  Annetje,  a  little 
embarrassed  at  this  unexpected  encounter,  curtseyed 
and  stepped  back,  awaiting  the  passing  of  this  gay 
company  although,  as  she  was  going  south,  the  pre- 
cedence was  hers. 

But  the  gentleman  with  the  wooden  leg  waved  her 

Annetje,  hesitating  for  a  moment,  looked  up  and 
caught  the  eye  of  the  youth  fixed  upon  her;  then, 
with  a  faint  blush,  she  hastened  on  her  way,  the 
Indian  stalking  at  her  side. 

"  Know  you  the  maid,  Balthazar?  "  asked  the  man 
with  the  wooden  leg. 

"  Nay,  father,"  the  lad  answered,  his  look  fol- 
lowing Annetje,  as  she  hurried  on. 

"  'Tis  the  girl  Jan  Virrhage  rescued  from  the 
Indians,  your  High  Mightiness,"  one  of  the  gentle- 
men explained. 

"  Ah,  now  I  remember  her,"  said  the  man  with 
the  wooden  leg,  nodding  his  head  slowly  up  and 
down.  "  That  must  have  been  nigh  ten  years  ago. 
The  child  has  grown  into  a  comely  maid.  Come, 
Myneheeren,"  and  off  he  stumped. 

But  Balthazar  Stuyvesant  stood  for  a  moment 
gazing  after  Annetje's  rapidly  retreating  figure. 


CHAPTER  V 

A   STROKE   OF   BUSINESS 

FOR  a  little  Annetje  hurried  on,  forgetting  her 
own  perplexities  in  the  novelty  of  this  chance 
encounter  with  the  haughty  old  Governor, 
Peter  Stuyvesant.  He  ruled  the  little  town  of 
Nieuw  Amsterdam  with  an  iron  hand  and  was  wont 
to  deal  out  justice  with  scant  regard  for  the  feelings 
of  those  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  At  least 
that  was  how  gossip  had  it  and  there  were  tales 
a-plenty  of  his  crusty  speech  and  arbitrary  bearing, 
so  that  it  was  deemed  prudent  for  ordinary  folk  to 
give  the  fiery  dictator  a  wide  birth  when  he  came 
stumping  down  the  streets.  Yet  he  had  shown  a 
grave  courtesy  to  Annetje  at  their  meeting,  acknowl- 
edging her  bow  and  giving  her  the  right  of  way  as 
he  might  have  to  a  juSer  of  his  own  class.  Annetje 
began  to  wonder  if,  indeed,  he  was  so  fierce  and 
angry  a  gentleman  as  was  reputed. 

"  The  Great  White  Chief  has  the  eye  of  a  doe 
set  in  the  face  of  an  eagle,"  grunted  the  Indian  at  her 
side. 

This  remark  called  for  no  answer  and  a  pace  or 
two  further  on  he  spoke  again. 

"  A  proud  man  and  a  just,"  he  said  in  a  deep 
voice. 

Annetje  nodded  half  indifferently,  for  already  her 
mind  had  turned  to  the  Governor's  young  son.  She 
had  seen  him  many  times  before  about  the  streets  of 
the  town  and  given  him  scarce   a  thought.     Such 

34 


A  Stroke  of  Business  35 

great  folk  were  so  high  above  her  In  station  that 
she  had  considered  him  as  belonging  to  another 
world.  Now  his  gaze  had  been  searching,  but  there 
was  naught  of  rudeness  In  it;  rather  was  there  an 
expression  of  surprise  and  pleasure,  as  If  for  the 
first  time  he  had  seen  a  lovely  flower. 

"  I  think  I  should  like  to  talk  to  him,"  Annetje 
said  to  herself,  and  then,  as  she  turned  Into  the 
squalid  unpaved  lane,  leading  to  the  humble  cottage 
of  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  she  gave  a  little  laugh  out  loud. 

"  'TIs  a  silliness  to  think  of  such  a  thing,"  she 
murmured,  and  straightway  forgot  Balthazar  Stuy- 
vesant. 

Here,  without  a  word  of  farewell,  the  Indian  left 
her,  and,  at  his  going,  her  recollection  of  why  he  had 
come  brought  Annetje  back  to  a  remembrance  of  her 
own  affairs.  As  she  stepped  through  the  gate  In 
the  fence  guarding  the  herb-beds  from  stray  goats 
and  the  like,  she  concluded  that  It  was  high  time 
she  set  out  In  earnest  to  discover  all  that  was  known 
of  her  history;  and  to  this  end  she  determined  to 
question  Vrouw  Pelgrom  at  the  first  opportunity. 

A  warm  rush  of  scented  air  met  her  as  she  opened 
the  side-door  of  the  house.  Across  the  room  sat 
Vrouw  Pelgrom,  a  vast  and  majestic  form  In  the 
fading  light. 

"  Thou  art  late,  child,"  she  cried  good-naturedly, 
her  fat  hands  never  staying  In  their  work,  but  mov- 
ing with  surprising  deftness  among  her  little  scoops 
and  spatulas.  "  The  supper  must  be  a  cold  bite  off 
the  roast.  Put  down  thy  baskets  and  hasten  with 
It,  or  we  shall  be  eating  in  the  dark." 

Annetje  wasted  no  time  but  busied  herself  laying 
the  cloth  and  setting  out  the  food,  while  the  dame 
chatted  on. 

*'  Fve  done  a  fine  stroke  of  business  since  last 


36  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

I  saw  thee,  Annetje,"  she  said,  triumphantly. 
"  There's  a  world  of  work  ahead  of  us." 

"  Now  that's  good  news,"  Annetje  rejoined  heart- 
ily. "  Has  Mevrouw  Van  Beylandt  returned  for 
help  to  start  the  hairs  upon  her  bald  head?  " 

"  Better  than  that,"  asserted  the  fat  dame  chuck- 
ling, "  though  once  again,  child,  I  must  warn  thee 
that  scoffing  at  a  rich  customer  is  scarce  a  safe  sport." 

"  Nay,  I  can  guard  my  tongue  when  there  is  any 
one  but  thee  to  hear,"  Annetje  answered  lightly. 
"  Tell  me  thy  news." 

"  After  supper  !  After  supper !  "  grunted  Vrouw 
Pelgrom,  turned  suddenly  crusty,  "  'tis  not  wise  to 
stay  the  processes  of  digestion  by  a  river  of  talk." 

At  that  hint  Annetje  took  time  to  prepare  a  pitcher 
of  cider,  mulled  as  the  dame  best  relished  it,  and 
when  all  was  ready,  and  Vrouw  Pelgrom  had 
struggled  out  of  her  chair  to  fall  into  another  at 
the  table,  she  placed  it  at  her  right  hand. 

*'  Ah,  child,  my  weaknesses  are  known  to  thee," 
said  the  Vrouw  as  she  clutched  the  mug,  "  and  faith 
I  know  them  myself.  Had  I  but  taken  a  proper 
pride  in  my  figure  I  would  have  stayed  my  spoon 
from  the  long  sauce,  and  eaten  less  of  oelly  koeks 
and  such  like." 

"  But  now  for  thy  news,"  Annetje  pleaded,  with 
an  eager  smile  across  the  table. 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  looked  at  her  shrewdly  for  a 
moment  with  a  bright  twinkle  in  her  keen  old  eyes. 

"  Ho!  Ho!  "  she  cried,  "  'tis  to  worm  my  secret 
out  of  me  and  not  for  love  thou  mulled  the  cider." 

"  Nay,  perhaps  It  was  a  little  of  both,"  Annetje 
acknowledged.  "  Tell  me  quickly,  for  in  truth  I 
cannot  wait  until  thou  hast  eaten." 

The  dame  took  another  sip  from  the  mug  and 
wiped  her  lips  on  the  back  of  her  broad  hand. 


A  Stroke  of  Business  37 

"  Thou  art  a  spoiled  child,  but  here  Is  my  tale," 
she  began.  "  Thou  tookst  note  of  the  pedlar  who 
came  today?  " 

"  Aye,"  answered  Annetje.  "  Is  It  to  him  thou 
art  looking  for  business?  " 

"  To  be  sure,"  replied  Vrouw  Pelgrom.  "  He's 
young,  I  grant  thee,  but  he  has  enterprise  and  fore- 
sight else  am  I  vastly  imposed  upon." 

"  He  seemed  but  an  indifferent  merchant  to  me," 
Annetje  remarked. 

"  Aye,  truly  did  he,  at  first,"  the  dame  admitted, 
"  but  thou  hadst  scarce  left  the  house  when  he  came 
to  the  point  of  his  proposal  —  which  Is  somewhat 
secret." 

"  'TIs  guns  and  rum  for  the  Indians,"  Annetje 
broke  in,  her  face  darkening. 

"  Nay,  'tis  naught  of  the  kind,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
snapped  angrily.  "  You  are  ever  mindful  of  your 
painted  savages." 

"  They  have  ever  been  mindful  for  me,"  Annetje 
replied  hotly.  "  As  thou  knowest  they  cared  for 
me  as  a  baby  and  to  this  day  they  guard  me.  I 
would  not  have  them  made  a  mock  of  by  wicked 
men  who  trade  upon  their  weaknesses  to  gain  a  few 
beaver  skins." 

"And  have  I  not  guarded  thee  as  well?"  de- 
manded Vrouw  Pelgrom.  "  Hadst  thou  been  a 
daughter  I  could  not  have  loved  thee  more,  and 
yet  'tis  of  thy  Indians  thou  art  always  thinking  and 
I  am  as  an  old  shoe  to  be  put  on  or  off  as  It  pleases 
thee." 

"  Nay,  'tis  not  so,"  Annetje  cried,  running  to 
Vrouw  Pelgrom  and  throwing  her  arms  about  her. 
"  Thou  knowest  I  love  thee,  but  were  I  to  forget 
those  who  were  kind  to  me  In  the  past  thou  might 
well  believe  I  would  as  easily  forget  thee." 


38  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  Right  well  I  know  thou  wilt,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
complained,  making  a  long  face  and  pretending  to 
be  much  abused.  "  I  am  but  a  fat  old  woman  with 
nowhere  to  look  for  comfort  in  my  old  age." 

"  Never  will  I  leave  thee,"  declared  Annetje,  put- 
ting her  cheek  against  the  dame's  and  hugging  her. 
"  I'm  sorry  to  have  vexed  thee  with  my  talk  of  the 
Indians." 

"  If  the  truth  were  told  I  am  jealous  of  thy  In- 
dians, Annetje,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  confessed,  and  at 
that  there  was  a  laugh,  though  tears  were  near  the 
surface  in  both  their  eyes.  ''  Go  back  to  thy  supper, 
child,  and  I  will  finish  my  tale." 

With  a  parting  squeeze  Annetje  returned  to  her 
place  and  Vrouw  Pelgrom  drank  deep  of  her  cider 
to  compose  herself. 

*' Where  did  I  leave  off?"  she  asked  a  moment 
later. 

*'  The  young  pedlar  had  made  a  secret  proposal 
just  after  I  left  the  house,"  Annetje  explained. 

"  Aye,  and  so  he  did,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  went  on, 
*'  he  made  it  without  loss  of  words  and  with  a 
frankness  that  makes  me  misdoubt  that  he  is  Dutch 
at  all.  Had  I  been  of  that  disposition,  he  would 
have  paid  thrice  for  my  wares." 

"  He  came  then  to  buy!  "  Annetje  exclaimed  In 
surprise. 

"  Aye,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  nodded.  *'  I  guessed  as 
much  ere  he  had  been  In  the  house  five  minutes." 

"  But  where  will  he  sell  ?  "  asked  Annetje.  *'  Sure 
you  win  not  let  him  peddle  our  compounds  here  in 
town?  " 

"  Nay,  in  truth  Fm  not  so  simple  as  that,"  laughed 
the  dame.  "  He  will  sell  naught  of  mine  In  Nieuw 
Amsterdam;  but  there  are  other  settlements  In  this 
broad  land.     The  young  man  says,  what  we  already 


A  Stroke  of  Business  39 

know,  that  the  EngHsh  Vrouwen  are  hard  featured 
and  bony.  They  would  give  much  for  the  soft 
beauty  of  the  Dutch  maidens." 

"  Think  you  that  all  the  English  maidens  are  so 
very  ugly?  "  asked  Annetje.  "  The  Juffer  Allerton 
Is  very  handsome  to  my  eyes."  And  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom  failed  to  hear  the  faint  note  of  anxiety  In  her 
voice. 

"  'TIs  her  gay  clothes,  child,  and  the  fine  powder 
I  sell  her  to  blanch  her  rough  skin.  They're  ugly, 
every  one  of  them.  Let's  hope  my  paste  will  whiten 
their  long  teeth  at  least,"  came  the  prompt  answer. 
"  The  young  man  will  go  as  far  as  the  Virginias, 
he  says,  and  will  carry  a  heavy  stock,  paying  in  good 
hard  money  for  It." 

"  That's  fine !  "  exclaimed  Annetje.  ''  What 
commodities  does  he  require?  " 

"  Pills  enough  to  furnish  nine  doctors,"  the  dame 
announced  triumphantly.  "  Vienna  drink,  well 
packed  with  senna  and  rhubarb.  As  I  shall  make 
it  I  vow  It  will  wrestle  mightily  with  all  inward 
qualms.  Then  will  he  take  perfumes,  sweeter  than 
Hungary  water,  good  rooge  that  never  saw  France, 
unguents  and  —  oh,  there  will  be  more  than  enough 
for  our  four  hands  to  do  for  many  a  day  to  come. 
We'd  best  finish  now  and  be  off  to  bed." 

She  rose  ponderously  and  took  up  the  candle. 
"  'TIs  a  fine  stroke  of  business,"  she  added,  half  to 
herself,  as  she  turned  toward  the  door  of  her  bed- 
room. 

"  But  wherein  lies  the  secretness  of  It?  "  asked 
Annetje,  stirring  the  fire  to  a  greater  blaze. 

"  Know  ye  not  that  It  is  unlawful  to  barter  with 
the  English?  "  the  goodwife,  halting  for  a  moment 
answered  question  with  question.  "  The  great  men 
of  the  different  colonies  try  mightily  to  keep  all  trade 


40  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

in  their  own  hands,  trusting  thus  to  make  profit  at 
both  ends.  Therefore  it  is  decreed  that  the  Dutch 
shall  buy  and  sell  only  with  Holland;  the  English 
with  Britain;  the  Spanish  with  Spain  and  so  on. 
Thus  must  we  be  cautious  in  our  deahngs  with  those 
other  nations  lest  we  incur  the  displeasure  of  the 
mighty  ones  to  our  cost." 

"  So  that's  the  reason  the  pedlar  gave  you  for  his 
masquerade?"  said  Annetje. 

''Aye,  what  other  could  he  give?"  replied  the 
dame,  starting  toward  the  door  again.  ''  He  saw 
'twas  useless  to  try  to  befool  me.  The  moment  I 
taxed  him  with  a  hidden  motive  he  was  quick 
to  disclose  his  whole  plan  and  ask  my  advice. 
'  You're  too  shrewd  for  me,  dame,'  he  told  me, 
laughing,  and  faith  he  was  not  far  from  right, 
though  it  took  not  the  wisdom  of  Solomon  to  see 
that  he  was  no  proper  pedlar!  Good-night,  my 
dear.  We'll  have  a  bow4  of  yockey  for  breakfast," 
and  with  that  she  quitted  the  room,  closing  the  door 
behind  her. 

Left  to  herself  Annetje  began  to  prepare  for  bed 
by  the  light  of  the  fire,  but  her  thoughts  were  far 
from  the  matter  in  hand.  It  had  been  upon  the 
tip  of  her  tongue  to  tell  Vrouw  Pelgrom  of  her 
encounter  with  the  young  pedlar  In  the  Maagde 
Paetje,  but  she  had  held  back.  In  some  way  the  man 
had  put  her  upon  her  honour,  not  to  speak  of  what 
he  had  told  her.  His  open  avowal  of  his  purpose 
to  spy  upon  the  Dutch  had  been  given  In  confidence. 
He  had  trusted  her,  and  although  she  had  made  no 
pact  to  keep  his  secret,  yet  it  seemed  to  Annetje  that 
she  might  not,  In  all  honesty,  betray  him.  At  the 
same  time  she  had  the  feeling  that  he  had  tricked 
her,  and  realized  that  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  for  all  her 


A  Stroke  of  Business  41 

cleverness,  was  no  match  for  this  youth,  whose  ap- 
pearance of  trusting  innocence  was  but  a  cloak  to 
hide  his  real  designs. 

Annetje  slept  in  the  slaap-banck  in  the  kitchen. 
This  was  a  large  closet-like  shelf  built  into  the  wall, 
lined  with  sassafras  wood  and  having  a  mattress  of 
feathers  a-top  one  of  straw.  She  opened  the  doors 
to  find  her  bed-gown  hanging  from  its  hook,  put  it 
on  and  knelt  to  say  her  evening  prayer. 

As  she  finished,  and  was  about  to  settle  down  for 
the  night,  there  came  a  sharp  rap  upon  the  window 
and  with  a  look  of  joy  upon  her  face  she  ran  to 
open  it. 

"  Come  in  at  once,"  she  whispered,  throwing  wide 
one  side  of  the  broad  casement.  "  I've  been  so 
worried  about  thee.  Come  in  quickly!  I  feared 
that  thou  hadst  forgotten  thy  Annetje." 

There  was  no  response  to  her  words  and  she 
leaned  through  the  window. 

"Could  it  have  been  the  wind  after  all?"  she 
murmured,  but  as  if  in  answer  a  bundle  of  fur, 
jumping  from  some  coin  of  vantage,  landed  upon 
her  shoulder.  It  was  a  racoon,  and  Annetje,  far 
from  being  alarmed,  laughed  happily  as  she  drew 
back  into  the  room. 

"  Nickje !  "  she  exclaimed,  "  thou  art  truly  wicked. 
I  think  to  tease  me  is  the  greatest  of  thy  pleasures." 

She  carried  the  creature  to  the  fire,  lavishing  upon 
it  a  wealth  of  caresses,  and  there  rolled  it  over  on 
its  back,  talking  to  it  in  low  tones  while  she  combed 
out  its  wonderful  fur  and  made  sure  that  no  injury 
had  befallen  her  pet. 

"  I  could  scarce  sleep  for  thinking  of  thee  caught 
in  some  trap,"  she  whispered.  "  My  worry  about 
thee  ha5  made  me  inattentive  and  Vrouw  Pelgrom 


42  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

has  called  me  '  you  '  as  if  I  were  a  stranger.  O 
Nickje,  if  thou  must  go  off  to  the  forest  why  canst 
thou  not  take  me  with  thee?  " 

The  animal  looked  at  her  with  sharp  wise  eyes 
and  nuzzled  her  lovingly. 

'*  Wait  where  thou  art,"  said  Annetje,  jumping 
up.  ''  In  thy  absence  thou  wert  never  forgotten. 
Many  goodies  have  I  saved  for  thee." 

She  was  back  in  a  moment,  with  a  bowl  of  fresh 
water  out  of  the  anker  brought  that  day  on  the 
dog-waggon  from  the  Tea-water  pump.  Setting 
this  upon  the  hearth  she  began  to  feed  the  racoon, 
bit  by  bit.  Each  morsel  he  took  daintily  in  his 
hands,  examining  it  carefully  and  then  washing  it 
in  the  bowl  before  he  ate  it.  It  did  no  good  for 
Annetje  to  dip  it  in  the  water.  Nickje  was  sure  of 
no  one's  housewifery  save  his  own,  as  Annetje  was 
at  pains  to  tell  him  gravely. 

When  he  had  finished  his  meal  she  put  the  re- 
mainder of  the  food  away  and  coming  back  to  the 
fire  took  him  in  her  lap  and  began  to  talk  to  him, 
her  voice  pitched  low  so  as  not  to  disturb  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  who  could  be  heard  snoring  in  the  next 
room. 

*'  'Tis  said  thou  canst  not  think,  Nickje,"  she  mur- 
mured, "  for  all  thy  wise  looks  and  ways.  I  wonder 
if  'tis  true."  She  gazed  into  the  fire  for  a  moment 
as  if  she  saw  a  picture  in  the  flames.  *'  Very  greatly 
do  I  wonder  if  thou  and  I  are  in  like  case,"  she  went 
on.  "  I  can  remember  naught  but  that  they  sent  for 
me,  who  was  eating  nuts  by  the  cooking  fire.  Then 
was  I  taken  to  the  council  and  there  a  man  with  a 
white  face  asked  '  Is  this  the  child?  '  and  the  Sachem 
answered,  '  It  is  the  child.'  At  that  my  foster 
mother  cried  'Woe I  Woe!'  and  taking  up  ashes, 
put  them  upon  her  head  and  went  away." 


A  Stroke  of  Business  43 

Annetje  pressed  her  face  Into  the  glossy  fur  for  a 
moment  as  If  overcome  by  this  dim  recollection  of 
her  past. 

"  So  It  came  that  I  was  taken  from  the  deep  woods 
and  the  kindly  Indians  who  had  cared  for  me  so 
tenderly,  to  be  set  down  here  among  unfriendly 
faces.  'TIs  all  I  can  remember,  NIckje.  Didst 
thou  have  some  such  beginning?  " 

The  animal  nibbled  gently  at  her  fingers  as  If  In 
answer,  and  the  girl  went  on  musingly: 

"  Is  there  a  curtain  drawn  across  thy  memory, 
too?  Canst  thou  remember  the  hollow  tree  where 
thy  mother  kept  thee  snug  and  warm?  Or,  like  me, 
does  thy  life  begin  with  a  farewell  to  the  friendly 
forests  and  then,  strange  scenes  upon  every  side?  " 

She  petted  the  animal  a  moment  In  silence,  happy 
to  have  him  back  and  finding  In  the  dumb  beast  an 
outlet  to  her  pent-up  feelings. 

"  'TIs  thy  duty,  Nick,  to  love  me,  as  thou  know- 
est,"  she  said  playfully,  holding  him  up  and  looking 
Into  his  sharp,  fox-like  countenance.  "  See  to  It  that 
thou  fallest  not,  or  I  shall  complain  to  the  great 
Peter  Stuyvesant,  for  thou  wast  but  a  mewing  kitten 
when  I  took  thee  from  the  boys  who  were  for  setting 
their  terrier  to  worry  thee,  they  being  convinced  in 
their  own  minds  that  thou  wert  naught  less  fearsome 
than  a  badger  or  a  wild-cat."  She  laughed  a  little 
at  the  recollection  and  then,  on  a  sudden,  dropped 
the  animal  and  sprang  across  the  sanded  floor  to 
her  bed.  It  was  one  of  Nickje's  favourite  amuse- 
ments to  chase  Annetje,  nipping  at  her  bare  toes, 
for  with  all  his  clumsy  gait  he  was  quick  enough 
when  he  had  the  need.  It  was  a  game  they  played 
often,  and  though  the  girl  landed  safely  in  the  slaap- 
banck  she  must  needs  pause  to  brush  the  sand  from 
the  floor  pattern  off  her  feet  and  in  that  instant  the 


44  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

racoon  was  upon  her  for  a  last  laughing  romp. 
Then  Annetje  snuggled  down,  and  the  animal  rolled 
off  to  seek  a  warm  corner  near  the  chim.ney  for  the 
night. 


CHAPTER  VI 

FROM    HAND    TO    HAND 

VROUW  PELGROM  and  Annetje  were  up  be- 
times the  next  morning.  The  breakfast  of 
cornmeal  mush  stewed  with  apples,  and  thin 
beer  was  quickly  eaten  and  before  the  sun  was  an 
hour  high  in  the  heavens  the  two  had  set  to  work. 
There  were  many  busy  days  in  prospect  preparing 
the  drugs  and  cosmetics  for  the  pedlar  and  soon  the 
kitchen  was  perfumed  with  the  odour  of  steeping 
herbs.  Long  practise  had  made  both  skilful  at  their 
tasks  and  in  a  little  Vrouw  Pelgrom  was  gossiping 
of  this  and  that,  her  tongue  clacking  as  speedily  as 
her  quick  fingers  rattled  the  pestle  against  the  mortar 
in  which  she  compounded  her  remedies. 

"  Pass  me  that  spatula,  child,"  she  said,  breaking 
in  upon  a  spirited  denunciation  of  the  taxes,  a  topic 
of  complaint  of  which  she  never  tired. 

Annetje  picked  up  the  horn  implement  and  looked 
at  it  a  moment  thoughtfully. 

"  Handing  thee  this  is  the  first  thing  I  remember 
doing  for  thee,"  she  remarked  slowly.  '*  I  could 
scarce  see  above  the  table  top  then." 

"  Aye,  thou  wert  quick  to  learn  what  I  needed," 
answered  the  dame  with  a  reminiscent  smile  upon 
her  face.  "  I  never  regretted  the  bargain  I  made 
for  thee." 

"Bargain!"  exclaimed  Annetje.  "Was  there 
then  a  bargain?  Truly,  it  sounds  as  if  I  had  been 
put  upon  the  scales  like  a  fat  fowl." 

"  And  so  in  a  manner  wert  thou,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom 

45 


46  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

replied,  her  busy  hands  pausing  for  a  moment.  "  It 
has  been  upon  my  tongue  to  tell  thee  more  than  once, 
but  I  have  held  my  peace." 

"  'Tis  time  I  knew  all  that  happened  to  me,"  An- 
netje  responded. 

*'  Aye,"  agreed  the  dame,  "  thou  art  growing  to 
be  a  woman,  Annetje.  'Tis  fit  thou  shouldst  learn 
how  it  came  about  that  a  fat  old  goodwife  brought 
thee  into  her  house  to  brighten  it.  But,  ere  this, 
thou  hast  ever  seemed  indifferent,  and  I  could  scarce 
tell  whether  my  news  would  be  welcome  or  no." 

"  It  would  always  have  been  welcome,"  Annetje 
replied,  "  though  I  could  never  bring  myself  to 
question  thee,  but  as  thou  sayest,  'tis  time  I  knew  all 
thou  canst  tell  me." 

"  Then  let  me  begin,  though  'tis  not  needful  that 
we  should  stint  our  work  for  the  telling,"  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  suggested.  ''  Our  hands  can  dance  to  the 
tune  of  it. —  Thou  knowest  that  a  man  named  Virr- 
hage  brought  thee  here?  " 

"  Aye,"  answered  Annetje,  "  but  scarce  more  than 
that.  What  tale  had  he  from  the  Indians  of  how 
they  found  me  and  where?  " 

"  He  had  none,"  the  dame  answered.  *'  He  had 
sought  for  treasures  of  gold  and  found  thee. 
Doubtless  he  told  not  all  the  circumstances,  for  he 
was  a  rough  man  and  a  bully;  but  he  could  not  in 
decency  leave  a  white  child  among  the  savages  and 
so  he  brought  thee  here  with  a  tale  of  how  they  had 
treated  thee  like  a  princess  and  were  loth  to  give 
thee  up.  He  made  much  of  his  Christian  spirit, 
saying  that  he  had  risked  his  life  to  fetch  thee  away, 
and  told  a  fine  rigmarole  of  vindictive  savages  fol- 
lowing his  party  day  after  day  till  they  took  boat;  — 
but  no  one  believed  him,  and  'tis  scarce  credible  to 
my  thinking." 


From  Hand  to  Hand  47 

'*  And  there  was  no  word  of  how  a  white  child 
had  come  to  be  there?  "  asked  Annetje  anxiously. 

'*  Nay,  never  a  word.  At  first  Virrhage  shook 
his  head  wisely,  saying  that  thou  wert  the  daughter 
of  a  rich  patroon  and  giving  all  to  understand  that 
he  would  have  a  small  fortune  from  thy  father. 
At  least,  that  was  the  gossip  afterward.  The  man 
himself  stayed  not  long  in  the  town,  but  was  off  again 
up  the  river;  doubtless  to  escape  his  wife,  the  shrew, 
who,  having  six  children  already,  was  in  no  wise 
minded  to  harbour  a  seventh.  I  judge  it  was  her 
nagging  on  thy  account  that  sent  him  north  so  soon, 
for  she  had  a  tongue  that  wagged  at  both  ends  and 
ne'er  spoke  save  to  scold  or  to  whine  of  her  mis- 
fortunes." 

"  Then  at  the  first  I  was  taken  by  Vrouw  Virr- 
hage?" Annetje  put  In,  fearing  the  dame  would 
drift  off  the  subject  of  her  tale. 

"  Aye,  thou  wert,  and  stayed  until  the  story  of  thy 
finding  was  sent  abroad  through  the  province.  Virr- 
hage's  wife  was  content  enough  to  reap  a  rich  reward 
—  as  she  was  sure  she  must  have  if  thy  parents  had 
been  found.  So  she  kept  thee,  though  grudgingly, 
until  her  scanty  stock  of  patience  was  exhausted." 

"  And  then?  "  Annetje  asked. 

**  And  then,  I  found  thee,"  the  dame  replied. 
"  And  in  truth  thou  wert  In  sad  case." 

"  Didst  thou  go  to  Vrouw  Virrhage  for  me?  "  the 
girl  questioned  impatiently. 

"  Nay,  I  knew  naught  of  thee,  save  only  the  ru- 
mours which  were  common  gossip,"  the  dame  con- 
tinued; "and  to  burden  myself  with  a  small  child 
was  the  very  least  of  my  expectations  on  that  Satur- 
day morning  when  I  set  off  for  market.  I  had  a 
shape  in  those  days,  Annetje,  and  minded  not  to  walk 
abroad  to  do  my  errands.     There  were  some  spite- 


48  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

ful  ones  who  called  me  stout,  but  'twas  envy  that 
prompted  their  evil  tongues.  To  be  sure  I  was  no 
skinny  jade,  but  in  truth  I  weighed  scarce  more  than 
fifteen  stone,  and  to  call  that  fat  were  gross  slander ! 
Indeed,  as  I  look  back  upon  that  time,  I  see  myself 
a  very  sylph  who  might  well  have  graced  those  scar- 
let stockings  our  pedlar  showed  yesterday  even  — " 

She  paused  for  breath  and  Annetje  waited  with 
what  patience  she  could  muster,  well  aware  that, 
given  encouragement,  here  was  a  topic  upon  which 
Vrouw  Pelgrom  might  talk  for  hours  without  ex- 
hausting it;  so  she  was  not  minded  to  say  aught  to 
further  such  digression. 

"Where  was  I  in  my  tale?'*  asked  the  dame  a 
moment  later. 

"  You  went  to  the  market  on  a  Saturday  morn- 
ing," Annetje  prompted  her. 

"  Nay,  I  had  not  reached  the  market  when  first 
I  saw  thee,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  rejoined  pettishly,  as  if 
she  suspected  Annetje  or  hurrying  her  with  her  story. 
*'  I  remember  grumbling  at  the  Governor's  new- 
fangled notion  about  the  market,  setting  it  up  as  thou 
knowest  it  now.  Before  that  the  boats  came  up  the 
Heere  Graft  on  Mondays  and  we  did  our  chaffering 
upon  its  banks.  The  food  was  better  and  cheaper 
then,  nor  were  we  — " 

"  But  what  happened  on  this  particular  Satur- 
day? "  Annetje  put  in,  no  longer  able  to  control  her 
impatience. 

"  How  can  I  tell  you  when  I  scarce  speak  five 
words  ere  I  am  interrupted?  "  said  the  dame  crossly. 
*'  As  I  was  saying,  I  was  on  my  way  to  the  market 
when  who  should  come  along  but  Virrhage's  wife, 
dragging  thee  after  her  by  the  hand.  I  knew  thee 
not,  but  I  saw  plain  enough  thou  wert  none  of  her 
brood,  whose  tow  heads  and  round,  red  faces  marked 


From  Hand  to  Hand  49 

them  for  VIrrhage's  brats  the  town  over.  Thou 
wert  dressed  in  a  dirty,  patched  frock  but  thy  face 
was  clean  and  it  held  my  eye." 

"  '  What  have  you  there?  '  I  asked  civilly  enough, 
which  I  confess  was  an  effort,  for  there  was  no  love 
lost  between  us. 

"  '  Every  one  brings  his  wares  to  market.  I  have 
brought  mine,'  she  snapped  in  answer,  and  hurried 
on,  leaving  me  to  follow  at  a  more  sober  pace. 

*'  She  was  a  small,  whiffety  woman,  very  quick  In 
her  movements,  but  she  accomplished  little  for  all 
her  fuss  and  feathers.  I  hold  no  grudge  against 
her,  yet  she  was  one  of  those  who  called  me  stout, 
and  though  her  husband  was  a  boschloper,  with  none 
too  good  a  name  in  the  town,  I  say  he  was  not  to 
blame  if  he  preferred  risking  his  life  among  the 
savages  to  enduring  the  everlasting  chatter  of  her 
venomous  tongue." 

Dame  Pelgrom  stopped  for  a  moment  and  glared 
at  Annetje  as  if  challenging  her  to  say  aught  in 
favour  of  Vrouw  Virrhage;  but  Annetje  wisely  held 
her  peace  and  presently  the  good  Vrouw  resumed 
her  narrative. 

"  The  woman's  words  set  me  thinking,"  she  went 
on,  "  and  I  soon  concluded  that  the  child  she  dragged 
along  could  be  none  other  than  the  one  the  wood- 
runners  had  found  among  the  Indians.  But  what 
she  meant  by  saying  she  had  brought  her  wares  to 
market  I  could  in  no  wise  imagine;  yet  was  I  soon 
to  learn  and  at  the  same  time  to  see  something  of  the 
contrariety  of  human  nature." 

"  I  think  I  can  guess  what  she  meant,"  Annetje 
murmured  in  a  low  tone. 

"  Aye,  now  perchance,  after  so  much  has  been 
said,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  agreed,  "  but  not  until  I  had 
come  to  the  Market  Field  had  I  any  inkling  of  her 


so  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

purpose.  The  place  was  much  as  it  is  now  and 
Vrouw  Virrhage  had  sought  out  a  stand  close  to  the 
centre.  Here  she  had  set  thee  up  so  all  could  see, 
and  was  calling  out  like  any  hawker  until  a  crowd 
pressed  about,  bursting  with  curiosity. 

"  *  Friends,'  she  was  shouting  as  I  came  by,  *  my 
man  has  left  me  with  more  live  stock  than  I  can 
afford  to  feed.  I  wish  to  sell  this  one.  What  am 
Ibid?' 

"  Now,  I  hold  that  it  is  right  and  proper  that 
parents,  having  expended  great  moneys  In  the  rear- 
ing of  their  offspring,  should  have  some  profit  from 
their  labour.  So  to  bind  a  boy  or  a  girl  for  a  term 
of  years  is  but  just.  But  here  was  a  child  upon 
whom  Virrhage's  wife  had  small  claim,  seeing  that 
she  had  no  more  than  filled  its  little  stomach  indif- 
ferent well  for  a  few  weeks,  and  yet  she  talked  as 
though  she  had  a  right  to  sell  it  like  any  black  out 
of  Africa. 

"  For  a  minute  or  two  the  crowd  was  silent,  taken 
aback,  as  was  I,  at  the  woman's  audacity,  then  one 
man  found  his  voice. 

"  '  The  child  is  too  young  even  to  turn  the  roast 
before  the  fire,'  he  said  with  a  sneer,  and  swung  on 
his  heel. 

"  '  Nay,  it  is  handy  and  quick  to  learn,'  Vrouw 
Virrhage  called  back,  *  and  remember,  If  'tis  young 
you  will  have  the  more  years  of  service.' 

"  '  How  know  we  that  her  people  will  not  claim 
her  some  day?'  demanded  old  Vrouw  Clomp,  her 
wrinkled  face  peering  up  as  she  might  have  at  a  fat 
goose  she  meant  to  bargain  for. 

"  '  Then  will  her  mistress  be  doubly  lucky,  by  rea- 
son of  the  reward  her  parents  will  pay,'  cried  Vrouw 
Virrhage,  having  a  ready  answer  to  every  objection, 
which  for  a  time  they  bandied  back  and  forth.     All 


From  Hand  to  Hand  51 

the  while  the  crowd  grew  thicker  and  thicker,  and  I 
saw  that  sooner  or  later  the  woman  would  have  her 
way  —  and  it  went  against  me.  So  I  called  a  boy 
and  showed  him  a  stuyver. 

'*  *  This,'  I  said,  *  is  for  the  lad  who  finds  the 
schout  or  a  schepen  and  tells  him  what's  toward.' 

"  Young  Gerrit  Van  Bommel  was  that  boy,  and 
he  was  never  one  who  needed  to  be  told  twice  upon 
which  side  his  bread  was  sugared.  So  it  was  not 
long  ere  he  was  back,  with  a  schepen  in  the  black 
robes  of  his  office  at  his  side. 

'*' What's  here?  What's  toward?'  his  worship 
asked,  truculently,  and  you  may  well  believe  there 
were  a  dozen  ready  to  answer;  so  I  held  my  peace." 

"And  all  this  while  I  stood  upon  the  stand?" 
asked  Annetje.     "  'Tis  strange  I  cannot  recall  it." 

*'  Too  frighted  wert  thou,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  de- 
clared. ''  Of  naught  so  much  didst  thou  remind  me 
as  of  some  wild  animal  at  bay  before  a  pack  of 
hounds.  Yet  thou  faced  them  dauntlessly,  nor  ever 
shed  a  tear.  'Twas  thy  courage  won  my  heart,  and 
I  vowed  to  myself  that  I  would  see  thee  fairly 
treated,  come  what  might. 

'*  At  first  the  schepen  did  naught  but  look  wise, 
and  there  began  a  mighty  chaffering.  Had  it  been 
any  other,  I  think  there  would  have  been  few  who 
would  have  even  considered  taking  so  young  a  child; 
but  thou  mightst  have  been  likened  to  a  ticket  for  a 
lottery,  the  holder  of  which  would  be  entitled  to  a 
fine  prize  if  perchance  thy  parents  were  great  folk. 
Thus  one  and  another  started  bidding  till  there  were 
a  score  shouting,  and  Vrouw  Virrhage,  seeing  so 
many  ready  to  relieve  her  of  her  bargain,  began  to 
doubt  the  wisdom  of  her  course.  Yet  her  stand  had 
been  so  publicly  taken  that  she  could  scarce  retreat 
with  credit,  and  at  the  end  thou  wert  about  to  be 


52  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

bound  at  thirty  florins  the  year  till  thou  earnest  of 
age,  to  Joris  Arentse's  wife,  whom  I  liked  not,  when 
I  spoke  the  schepen  and  brought  the  stupid  man  to 
his  senses. 

"  '  In  the  bargain  for  this  child,'  I  said  to  him, 
'  what  bond  is  given  for  her  education?  She  is  not 
a  black  to  be  let  grow  up  ignorant  as  the  beasts  of 
the  field.      It  would  be  a  shame  on  the  community.' 

"  '  Aye,  you're  right,'  said  the  schepen  with  a  fine 
air  of  condescension.  And  at  that  a  great  murmur 
of  agreement  arose  from  the  better  people  as  well 
as  from  those  who  had  been  outbid. 

"  '  'Tis  an  outrage!  '  cried  one. 

"  '  The  child  is  too  young  to  be  bound !  '  exclaimed 
another. 

"  '  Are  we  Dutch  so  mean  that  we  begrudge  a  babe 
a  spoonful  of  pap?  '  a  third  shouted. 

"  And  suddenly  all  were  calling  '  Shame  !  Shame  !  ' 
as  if  they  had  never  had  a  hand  in  the  business. 

"  In  truth,  the  tide  had  set  the  other  way,  and 
Vrouw  Virrhage  finding  herself  like  to  be  hissed 
by  all  for  a  heartless  miser,  turned  on  me,  who  had 
pressed  forward,  and  putting  one  hand  on  her  hip, 
shook  her  forefinger  at  me  in  a  passion. 

"  '  Why  do  you  meddle  in  my  business,  you  fat 
woman?  '  she  shouted,  so  that  all  could  hear.  '  'Tis 
plain  to  all  that  see  you,  that  you  have  more  to  eat 
than  one  person  should.  'Twould  benefit  you  might- 
ily to  restrain  your  greedy  appetite  and  lay  out  some 
of  the  money  you  waste  on  food  in  giving  the  girl 
the  education  you  prate  of.  You  can  pay  your  two 
beavers  yearly  to  send  her  to  Van  Olfendam's  school 
and  still  keep  yourself  well  covered  with  goose 
grease.  Why  not  take  her  yourself,  if  you  are  so 
set  upon  guarding  her  future?  ' 

*'  Now,  of  course,  that  shrewish  witch  had  never 


From  Hand  to  Hand  53 

an  idea  that  I  would  hold  her  to  her  word,  and  but 
talked  to  silence  me.  In  truth  I  had  not  looked  to 
burden  myself  with  the  care  of  a  strange  child,  but 
she  had  called  me  a  fat  woman  before  the  town  and 
'twas  as  if  some  clumsy  clodhopper  had  trod  upon 
my  tenderest  corn.  I  tell  thee  I  was  in  a  rare  rage 
and  turned  to  the  schepen  with  an  answer  ready  on 
my  tongue. 

"  '  Bear  witness,'  I  said  to  him,  '  that  this  woman 
has  given  me  the  child.  I  will  take  her  and  bind 
myself  to  see  that  she  ne'er  becomes  a  public  charge. 
Moreover  I  will  give  her  a  good  schooling.  To 
Van  Olfendam's  she  shall  go,  and  further,  if  she 
needs  a  dower  when  she  marries  she  shall  not  lack 
it,  even  if  in  saving  it  I  become  as  scrawny  as  Vrouw 
Virrhage  herself !  '  And  with  that  I  plucked  thee 
down  from  the  stand  and  made  ready  to  take  thee 
home." 

"  And  so  I  was  not  sold  after  all,"  Annetje  said, 
with  a  little  sigh  of  relief. 

"  Nay,  thou  wert  not  sold,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  an- 
swered grimly,  "  but  the  end  was  not  yet.  Seeing 
thee  slipping  from  her  grasp,  Virrhage's  wife  es- 
teemed thee  mightily  of  a  sudden  and  lifted  her 
shrill  voice  in  protest." 

"  She  would  have  the  coin  and  the  cake  too,"  An- 
netje remarked. 

"  Aye,  that  she  would,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  agreed. 
"  She  wanted  not  the  trouble  of  thy  keep  but  feared 
to  give  thee  up.  So,  when  another  was  minded  to 
take  thee  off  her  hands,  she  raised  a  great  todo. 
But  here  the  schepen  stood  my  friend  and  though 
he  had  been  slow  to  mix  in  the  controversy,  once  in, 
he  stood  his  ground. 

*'*  Silence,  woman!'  he  commanded.  *  You 
wished  to  be  rid  of  the  girl  else  why  did  you  bring 


54  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

her  here?  She  Is  no  child  of  yours  and  I  doubt  your 
right  to  sell  her  labour.  To  my  thinking  you  would 
need  to  obtain  papers  of  adoption  to  give  you  any 
such  authority,  and  they  are  not  to  be  had  without 
fat  fees  to  this  and  that  one,  and  much  trouble  be- 
side. I  should  never  have  let  the  matter  pass  with- 
out a  decision  by  the  council  so  you  may  count  your- 
self lucky  to  be  rid  of  a  troublesome  guest.' 

"'Guest!'  the  Virrhage  woman  raved,  and  it 
so  pleased  me  to  see  her  angered  that  I  laughed  in 
her  face.  '  Guest !  I  am  no  High  Mightiness  to 
afford  guests!  'Tis  in  my  mind  you  know  to  whom 
the  child  belongs  and  are  leagued  with  this  fat 
Vrouw  to  rob  me  of  my  rightful  reward.  You  are 
despoilers  and  bloodsuckers  — ' 

''  '  Silence,  thou !  '  the  schepen  warned  her,  he  too 
beginning  to  lose  his  temper.  '  I  am  an  officer  of 
the  law,  and  there  Is  a  fit  and  proper  punishment  for 
slander  —  of  which  I  lack  not  witnesses,'  he  ended, 
looking  around  at  the  crowd.  At  this  dame  Virr- 
hage changed  her  tune,  for  she  was  no  simpleton  for 
all  her  bitter  tongue.  'Twas  plain  she  couldn't  bully 
the  schepen,  so  she  made  a  long  face  and  began  to 
whine. 

*'  '  Oh,  your  honour,'  she  moaned,  trying  to 
squeeze  a  tear  out  of  her  dry  eyes.  *  Indeed  I  meant 
naught  injurious  to  your  worshipful  self,  but  I  am 
put  to  It  to  know  how  I  am  to  get  food  for  my  chil- 
dren. Last  St.  Claes'  baking  I  h?d  naught  better 
than  bear's  meat,  pompions  and  maple  sugar  to  make 
my  pies.  To  that  pass  am  I  come  with  my  man  out 
among  the  wilden  and  never  a  stuyver  to  show  for 
his  adventuring.  'Tis  the  truth  that  I  love  the  child 
and  would  gladly  keep  her,  were  I  but  given  a  few 
guilders  monthly  from  the  public  chest.  If  I  have 
said  aught  that  I  should  not,  'twas  because  I  was 


From  Hand  to  Hand  ^^ 

as  one  distracted.  I  beg  forgiveness  for  the  sake 
of  my  little  ones.' 

"  Indeed  she  made  a  moving  appeal  and  had 
worked  upon  herself  till  a  tear  or  two  actually  rolled 
down  her  hollow  cheeks  and  she  wiped  her  face  most 
ostentatious,  though  in  her  heart  I  knew  she  would 
have  given  something  handsome  for  one  good  clout 
upon  the  schepen's  head. 

"  '  In  your  foul,  villainous,  injurious,  nay  infamous 
words  there  was  a  sting  not  to  be  endured,'  the  man 
of  law  told  her  with  pompous  severity,  '  but  as  you 
abjure  them  now  before  all  this  company  I  will  con- 
sent to  forget  them.'  And  he  would  have  turned  off 
and  left  the  matter  there;  but  the  woman  was  de- 
termined to  have  back  the  child  and  raised  another 
wail. 

''  '  But  what  of  the  girl,  your  honour?  '  she  blub- 
bered. '  Am  I  neither  to  hold  her  for  future 
reward  nor  be  repaid  for  what  I  have  already  ex- 
pended? ' 

*'  There  were  many  in  the  throng  who  had  a  good 
stock  of  sympathy  for  the  shrew  by  reason  of  her 
big  family,  and  there  was  a  murmuring  in  her  favour 
which  might  have  worked  upon  the  mind  of  the 
schepen  to  her  advantage;  but  at  her  last  complaint 
young  Gerrit  Van  Bommel,  vastly  pleased  with  him- 
self for  the  part  he  had  already  played,  must  needs 
strut  up  and  point  a  finger  at  her. 

"  '  Shame  on  you  for  a  greedy  gossip !  '  he  called 
out  at  the  top  of  his  shrill  voice.  '  Well  you  know 
you  sold  the  little  wild  one's  doeskins  for  a  fat  purse- 
ful  this  very  morning.' 

*'  Vrouw  Virrhage  aimed  a  blow  at  the  boy's  ear 
that  would  have  made  his  head  ring  for  an  hour  if 
it  had  found  its  mark,  but  Gerrit  was  a  lively  lad 
and  skipped  out  of  harm's  way.     The  schepen,  how- 


56  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

ever,  seeing  that  there  was  deception  somewhere, 
bade  the  boy  speak;  and  all  stood  quiet  while  he  told 
his  tale. 

"  *  Just  this  it  is,  your  honour,'  Gerrit  began,  keep- 
ing a  wary  eye  on  the  VIrrhage  woman,  '  I  was  at 
Canoe  Place  with  the  others  to  see  the  boschlopers 
come  in,  and  the  little  girl  had  on  the  finest  doeskins 
ever  I  laid  eyes  on.  'Twas  remarked  by  others  in 
the  crowd  so  that  I  took  good  note  of  them.  Now 
but  this  morning  when  I  was  In  Cornells  Steenwyck's 
great  shop  on  an  errand  for  my  mother,  there  on 
the  counter  was  that  Indian  dress.  Steenwyck  him- 
self was  showing  It  to  Mynheer  Allard  Anthony, 
asking  him  if  he  did  not  want  to  send  it  home  as  a 
curiosity,  and  Mynheer  Anthony  asked  where  did 
he  get  it  —  and  Steenwyck  said  he  had  just  paid  the 
wife  of  Jan  VIrrhage  a  round  sum  for  it.  I  looked, 
your  honour,  and  they  were  the  very  doeskins  I  had 
seen  upon  the  girl  when  she  came  first  to  Nieuw 
Amsterdam.' 

"  He  ended  with  a  sly  grimace  at  Vrouw  Virrhage, 
mightily  proud  of  himself  to  have  all  this  news  to 
give  the  schepen." 

"  Long  have  I  known  Gerrit  Van  Bommel  but 
never  guessed  he  was  so  clever,"  laughed  Annetje. 
*'  1  would  I  had  been  there  to  see  Vrouw  VIrrhage." 

*'  Thou  wert  there,  though  'tis  gone  from  thy 
mind,"  Dame  Pelgrom  told  her  with  a  chuckle. 

"  To  be  sure,"  said  Annetje.  *'  And  truly  I  must 
have  been  frightened." 

"  Nay,  I  know  not,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  returned. 
"  Thou  didst  as  thou  wast  bid,  nor  showed  aught  of 
thy  feelings.  To  this  day  thou  hast  something  of 
the  Indian  about  thee  —  but  to  finish  my  tale. 
Vrouw  VIrrhage's  cheeks  were  as  red  as  her  nose 
when  Gerrit  had  ended,  but  there  was  naught  for 


From  Hand  to  Hand  57 

her  to  do  but  confess  the  truth  and  put  as  fair  a  face 
on  the  matter  as  possible. 

"  '  Tis  a  fact  I  sold  the  doeskins,'  she  acknowl- 
edged. '  In  them  was  all  the  profit  I  had  of  my 
man's  expedition,  and,  seeing  they  were  not  fit  for  a 
white  child,  I  took  what  I  could  get  for  them.  Why 
should  I  keep  them  as  a  harbour  for  the  moth?  ' 

"  But  this  explanation  did  not  satisfy  the  crowd, 
who  began  to  draw  off  from  the  woman,  murmuring 
that  she  was  a  greedy  gossip  as  the  boy  had  pro- 
claimed, and  the  schepen,  seeing  that  most  of  the 
people  were  against  her,  took  his  tone  from  them 
and  turned  on  the  beaten  dame  angrily. 

"  '  You  have  tried  to  deceive  me,'  he  told  her  as 
one  exasperated.  '  The  matter  is  beyond  my  de- 
cision and  I  command  you  to  present  yourself  before 
the  council  at  the  Stadthuys  tomorrow  morning  at 
ten  of  the  clock.  Bring  with  you  the  doeskins  that 
the  council  and  the  worshipful  Governor  himself 
may  have  the  full  evidence  before  them.  Fail  not 
or  it  will  be  the  worse  for  thee.' 

"  Until  then  may  I  keep  the  little  one,  your 
honour?"  I  asked  him,  with  as  much  respect  as  I 
could  show.  The  schepen  hesitated  a  moment,  for 
I  was  not  known  to  him. 

"  '  She  seems  a  worthy  body,'  he  said  at  length, 
to  the  crowd  at  large,  and  there  was  no  lack  of 
people  to  tell  him  that  you  would  come  to  no  hurt 
while  in  my  care. 

"  '  Bring  her  to  me  tomorrow,'  he  said  finally, 
and  stalked  off,  his  head  high  and  his  black  robes 
streaming  out  behind  him  in  the  wind. 

*'  As  for  me,  I  tarried  not  to  exchange  further 
pleasantries  with  Vrouw  Virrhage  but  straightway 
brought  thee  home.  That  night,  ere  I  put  thee  in 
thy  little  trundle  bed  beside  my  own,  I  took  thee 


58  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

in  my  arms  for  comfort's  sake.  Thou  hadst  eyed 
me  all  the  day  without  a  word  or  sound  to  tell  me 
what  went  on  behind  thy  shining  eyes,  but  as  I  set 
thee  upon  my  lap  and  crooned  a  childish  song,  thy 
arms  came  up  about  my  neck  and  a  sigh  of  peace 
escaped  thee.  At  that  moment  my  heart  went  out  to 
thee,  Annetje,  and  thou  hast  held  it  ever  since." 


CHAPTER  VII 

IN   THE    SEATS    OF   THE    MIGHTY 

VROUW  PELGROM'S  kindly  voice  broke  a 
little  as  she  told  of  the  first  night  Annetje 
had  spent  under  her  humble  roof,  and  the 
girl,  scarce  knowing  how  It  came  about,  found  her- 
self upon  the  other  side  of  the  table  with  her  arms 
about  the  good  dame's  neck. 

"  I  ne'er  guessed  how  much  I  owed  thee,"  she 
murmured,  burying  her  face  In  the  ample  shoulder. 

"  Nay,  nay,  child,  there  can  be  no  talk  of  debt 
'twixt  us,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  said  earnestly.  "  Out  of 
pity  was  I  first  drawn  to  thee,  but  soon  I  loved  thee 
for  thy  brave  bearing  and  gentle  ways.  The  sun 
was  warmer  and  the  rainy  days  less  dreary  for  thy 
presence.  My  starved  old  heart  fed  on  thy  affec- 
tion and  thou  hast  brought  more  joy  into  the  life 
of  a  lonesome  woman  than  she  could  well  repay 
thee  an  she  lived  a  hundred  years.  Nay,  if  there 
be  debt  'tis  I  who  owe  thee,  Annetje,  for  the  love 
thou  hast  given  me." 

"  Nay,  I  have  not  loved  thee  half  enough,"  the 
girl  lamented,  her  face  still  hidden.  *'  I  have  not 
thought  of  thy  comfort  nor  to  save  thee  steps  as  I 
should.  I  have  been  Inattentive  to  thine  Instruction, 
and  sometimes  thought  thee  cross  when  indeed  thou 
hadst  great  cause.  I  have  been  neglectful  of  thee, 
thinking  more  of  my  own  affairs  than  of  thine,  and 
my  heart  will  break  an  thou  dost  not  forgive  thy 
Annetje." 


6o  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  Hush,  child,"  crooned  Vrouw  Pelgrom  sooth- 
ingly. "  Why  plague  thyself  with  fancied  faults. 
I  could  not  have  done  without  thee  and  have  blamed 
myself  for  living  on  thy  youth,  growing  fat  and 
helpless  in  the  ease  thy  nimbleness  hath  given  me. 
But  what  matter  the  little  things  of  life  if  we  surely 
love  each  other?  " 

*'  Indeed  I  do  love  thee,"  cried  Annetje,  giving 
the  dame  a  hearty  hug. 

"  Aye,  that  I  know,"  the  goodwife  responded  with 
a  chuckle.  "  Naught  but  true  affection  could  mull 
such  cider  as  thou  wouldst  bring  me  an  thou  knewst 
how  dry  was  my  throat  from  so  much  talking." 

''I  will  fetch  it  for  thee  on  the  instant  I"  ex- 
claimed Annetje,  and  was  away  on  flying  feet  ere  she 
finished  the  sentence. 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  watched  her  out  of  sight,  wiping 
away  the  tears  that  had  come  into  her  eyes  and 
shaking  her  head  ponderously.  Though  she  might 
indeed  relish  the  cider  when  it  came,  It  was  to  change 
the  current  of  Annetje's  thoughts  that  she  had  sug- 
gested it,  knowing  well  that  the  child's  heart  would 
be  eased  in  the  performance  of  the  task. 

Annetje  was  back  ere  long  with  a  brimming  mug, 
and  her  face  was  smiling  as  she  anticipated  the 
dame's  pleasure. 

"  I  mulled  it  well,"  she  cried,  "  and  put  in  an 
extra  measure  of  warming  ginger.  I  hope  'tis  to 
thy  liking." 

A  long  drawn  "  Ah!  "  of  satisfaction  testified  to 
the  tastlness  of  the  first  draft,  and  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
set  down  the  mug  with  a  wide  smile  of  contentment. 

"  Never  hast  thou  spiced  It  better,  Annetje,"  she 
declared  heartily.  "  I  vow  Peter  Stuyvesant  him- 
self would  envy  me  an  he  knew  the  richness  of  its 
flavour.     And   that  reminds  me.     Thou   hast  not 


In  the  Seats  of  the  Mighty  6 1 

heard  the  end  of  my  tale.  In  truth  to  my  thinking 
the  best  of  it  is  yet  to  be  told." 

"  To  be  sure !  "  exclaimed  the  girl.  ''  Thou  wast 
to  take  me  to  the  Stadthuys  on  the  morrow.  What 
happened  there  before  the  great  council?  " 

"  'Tis  curious  thou  dost  keep  naught  of  it  in 
thy  memory,"  the  dame  began.  "  'Tis  to  me  as  if 
it  were  but  yesterday,  for  that  happened  which  has 
made  a  mark  upon  my  recollection  that  it  will  hold 
unto  my  dying  day.  Yet  in  truth  it  was  no  great 
matter,  and  for  those  who  see  naught  of  significance 
in  chance  occurrences  there  was  little  to  mark  the 
meeting  out  of  the  ordinary.  But  take  thy  work  and 
listen  while  I  recount  it  for  thee  from  the  beginning. 

"  As  I  need  not  tell  thee,  for  there  was  greater 
lack  of  curiosity  among  the  townfolk  then  than  there 
is  now,  the  Stadthuys  was  filled  to  overflowing. 
The  account  of  thy  fortunes  had  been  noised  through- 
out the  length  and  breadth  of  the  town,  so  that  all 
who  could  crowd  into  the  hall  were  there,  gaping 
at  one  another  and  keen  upon  the  scent  of  gossip. 
I  had  gone  early  guessing  that  there  would  be  a 
throng  and  had  taken  a  place  well  in  front.  I  kept 
thee  by  my  side  and  looked  about  me  with  no  little 
interest,  for  indeed  it  was  a  fine  sight;  and  being 
as  I  might  say  in  all  modesty,  somewhat  the  centre 
of  these  happenings,  it  was  but  proper  that  I  should 
hold  up  my  head  and  face  my  neighbours  boldly  as 
an  honest  woman  should.  Then,  too,  I  had  on  my 
holiday  petticoats,  and  being  vainer  of  my  person 
in  those  days,  I  did  not  scorn  the  glances  of  admira- 
tion thrown  in  my  direction." 

The  good  Vrouw  paused  a  moment,  chuckling 
to  herself  over  these  reminiscences,  and  Annetje, 
glancing  sidewise,  saw  her  prim  her  mouth  as  she 
might  have  in  the  days  of  her  comeliness. 


62  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

*'  Hast  thou  never  a  remembrance  of  the  great 
hall?"  she  asked,  taking  up  the  story  again.  "  It 
had  such  grand  windows  with  the  arms  of  the  city 
graven  on  them.  Then  the  justice^s  bench  had  the 
orange,  blue  and  white  of  Holland  and  the  Company 
above  it,  as  well  as  the  painted  coat  of  arms  sent 
to  us  by  the  Directors  of  the  fatherland.  It  was 
magnificent  to  behold.  A  little  child  out  of  the 
forest,  who  scarce  had  grown  accustomed  to  a  roof 
over  her  head,  might  well  have  been  daunted  by  It." 

"  Wait !  "  cried  Annetje,  of  a  sudden,  "  were  there 
not  seats  set  high  above  the  floor  with  thick  cushions 
upon  them?  " 

**  Aye,  the  cushions  of  state  upon  the  raised  plat- 
form whereon  the  council  sat,"  explained  the  dame. 
*'  Dost  thou  see  It  dimly?  " 

"  I  cannot  tell,"  Annetje  replied,  "  but  It  seems 
as  If  I  marvelled  that  no  one  sat  upon  those  seats 
which  alone  were  empty,  and  then  —  and  then  — " 
She  stopped;  her  brow  wrinkled  as  she  puzzled  to 
bring  back  the  scene. 

*'  Think  hard,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  murmured,  lean- 
ing forward  across  the  table. 

*'  Was  there  perchance  a  little  child  who  slipped 
up  and  took  the  biggest  seat?  "  asked  the  girl. 

"  Aye,  thou  dost  remember,"  cried  the  older 
woman,  clapping  her  hands.  "  To  be  sure  'twas  as 
thou  sayest.  I  missed  thee  at  the  Instant  when  his 
High  Mightiness  entered,  too  late  to  bring  thee 
back,  and  for  the  moment  longed  to  drop  through 
the  floor,  thinking  the  great  Stuyvesant  would  be 
In  a  rage.  But  therein  I  was  mistaken.  He  stood 
In  front  of  thee,  gazing  down  with  a  kindly  smile 
upon  his  face.  *  Whom  have  we  here?'  he  asked, 
and  a  schepen  answered,  that  thou  wert  the  very 
heart  and  cause  of  all  the  pother.     I  looked  to  have 


In  the  Seats  of  the  Mighty  63 

the  Governor  roar  right  roundly,  for  he  was  ever 
one  to  have  a  care  for  his  dignity;  but  just  at  that 
moment,  didst  thou  turn  thy  face  to  him  and  smile. 
Next,  as  if  in  invitation,  thou  didst  move  over  in 
the  chair  so  that  there  might  be  room  for  one  to 
sit  beside  thee,  and  he  too  smiled.  *  Dost  think  there 
is  room  for  two,  little  one?  '  he  said,  and,  as  if  thou 
hadst  understood,  thy  little  head  nodded  and  the 
great  Peter  Stuyvesant  seated  himself  beside  thee 
and  put  an  arm  about  thy  waist.  So  didst  thou  stay 
throughout  all  the  proceedings,  and  I  cannot  think 
there  was  one  In  that  throng  who  esteemed  the  Gov- 
ernor less  of  a  great  man  because  of  his  action." 

"  'TIs  passing  strange  that  I  can  remember  naught 
more  of  it,"  said  Annetje,  after  a  pause.  **  What 
happened  after?  " 

"  Oh,  there  was  much  legal  talk  that  would  tax 
thy  comprehension,  and  there  was  a  great  pretence 
of  deferring  to  the  council,  but  in  truth  his  High 
Mightiness  the  Governor  took  the  matter  into  his 
own  hands  and  settled  it  to  his  satisfaction." 

"  And  did  Vrouw  Virrhage  give  me  up  without 
a  struggle,  after  all?  "  Annetje  questioned. 

"Nay,  that  she  did  noti  "  was  the  positive  an- 
swer. ''  A  night  of  contemplation  had  convinced 
her  that  she  had  made  a  mistake  to  think  of  parting 
with  thee,  and  she  was  more  than  ever  determined 
to  have  thee  back.  And  In  truth  she  was  so  clever 
that  for  a  time  I  feared  she  would  have  her  will, 
and  that  went  sore  against  me,  for  by  then  I  wanted 
thee  for  thyself  alone.  She  came  with  all  her  brood 
of  children,  new  washed  and  combed,  to  gain  the 
sympathy  of  her  judges,  and  in  a  measure  she  suc- 
ceeded, though  she  deserved  it  not.  In  the  begin- 
ning the  council  talked  first  on  this  side  and  then 
on  that,  with  many  high  sounding  words,  very  learned 


64  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

and  wise  looking,  but  coming  to  no  conclusion,  and 
all  the  while  the  great  Stuyvesant  said  naught,  but 
petted  thee  and  gained  thy  confidence,  listening  to 
the  debate  until  his  mind  was  satisfied.  Then,  with 
scant  consideration  for  schout,  schepens,  or  burgher- 
meesters,  he  decreed  that  I  should  keep  thee,  and 
that,  for  the  sake  of  her  hungry  family,  Vrouw  Virr- 
hage  was  remitted  the  punishment  for  her  treatment 
of  an  officer  of  the  law.  At  this  the  crusty  dame 
began  to  murmur,  hinting  that  she  would  send  a 
complaint  to  the  Company's  officers  In  Holland,  at 
which  Stuyvesant's  wrath  was  like  to  scorch  her. 
He  told  her  roundly,  in  a  voice  that  filled  the  hall 
with  the  roar  of  It,  that  he  would  have  her  hanged 
to  the  highest  tree  in  the  Nieuw  Nederlandt  if  she 
said  aught  further  on  that  subject,  which  put  a  great 
fear  Into  her  and  calmed  her  temper,  I  can  tell  you, 
for  Peter  Stuyvesant  was  not  one  to  threaten  In  vain 
and  was  like  to  act  first  and  talk  of  the  law  of  the 
matter  afterwards.  Then  he  dismissed  the  company 
and  presently  he  rose  from  his  chair  and,  taking 
thee  by  the  hand,  led  thee  down  to  where  I  was 
sitting.  In  truth  he  seemed  reluctant  to  let  thee 
go  and  said  as  much  when  he  gave  thee  up  to  me. 

"  '  Were  I  to  consult  my  own  wishes,'  he  told  me, 
*  I  would  keep  her  myself,  goodwife.  I  have  al- 
ways longed  to  have  a  little  daughter  —  but  there 
are  others  to  be  thought  of.  See  to  it  that  you 
fulfil  your  promise  to  educate  her,  and  if  at  any 
time  you  need  help,  remember  that  the  child  has  sat 
upon  the  high  seat  with  Peter  Stuyvesant  and  he 
stands  her  friend.' 

'*  With  that  he  kissed  thee  upon  thy  forehead  and 
dismissed  us,  handing  over  to  my  keeping  all  thy 
small  belongings.  That  Is  the  story,  save  that  I 
have  done  for  thee  what  seemed  right  and  proper. 


In  the  Seats  of  the  Mighty  65 

and  I  may  tell  thee  further,  if  indeed  thy  heart  does 
not  make  it  plain,  that  a  reward  for  thy  finding  was 
never  in  my  thoughts  — " 

"  Aye,  that  I  know,"  Annetje  broke  in.  "  There 
is  no  need  to  tell  me." 

"  Yet  were  there  some,  prompted  by  the  Virrhage 
shrew  no  doubt,  who  said  I  was  a  clever  woman, 
like  to  make  a  small  fortune  out  of  thee,"  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  complained.  "  But  in  truth  had  thy  par- 
ents discovered  themselves,  all  the  gold  in  the  land 
would  not  have  comforted  me  for  thy  loss." 

"  Nor  could  they  have  been  to  me  more  than  thou 
hast,"  said  Annetje  earnestly.  "  Yet  have  I  a  long- 
ing to  know  who  was  my  real  mother  and  from 
whence  I  came." 

"  To  be  sure  thou  hast,"  the  dame  answered 
heartily.  "  'Tis  but  natural,  and  thinking  that  a 
day  would  come  when  such  questions  would  crowd 
upon  thy  thoughts,  I  made  what  inquiries  I  could 
to  find  an  answer." 

"And  what  didst  thou  learn?"  asked  Annetje 
eagerly. 

"  Naught,  child,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  replied. 
"  Virrhage  came  upon  thee  among  the  Indians,  but 
in  what  manner  they  had  gained  possession  of  thee 
he  never  knew.  There  was  always  some  mystery. 
When  thou  wert  little,  the  red  men  seemed  to  guard 
thee,  though  for  my  life  I  could  not  point  to  how  it 
was  done.  Only,  when  least  it  was  expected,  a  tall 
savage  would  suddenly  appear  and  with  a  quick, 
keen  glance  at  thee,  stride  on  without  a  word. 
Once,  when  thou  hadst  fallen  into  the  brook  at  the 
Maagde  Paetje,  a  painted  brave  came  forth  from 
the  bushes  and  whipped  thee  out  of  the  stream  ere 
the  rest  of  us  realized  that  thou  hadst  tumbled  in. 
I  ran  to  thee  and  would  have  thanked  the  Indian, 


(i()  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

but  he  gave  me  so  menacing  a  glance  that  I  lost 
my  speech  for  a  moment;  and  when  I  had  regained 
it  he  had  disappeared.  So  it  has  seemed  to  go 
throughout  thy  life,  but  what  the  meaning  of  it  is 
I  know  not." 

*'  Nay,  nor  do  I,"  Annetje  replied.  "  To  this 
day  they  have  me  In  their  keeping,  yet  those  who  are 
set  upon  the  watch  themselves  know  not  the  reason." 

*'  Hast  thou  asked,  then?  "  Vrouw  Pelgrom  ques- 
tioned. 

"  Aye,  no  later  than  yesterday,"  Annetje  replied. 
*'  But  the  answer  is  hid.  I  wonder  shall  I  ever 
find  it." 

*'  Who  can  tell,"  returned  the  dame,  and  then  in 
a  jolly  voice,  "  but  meanwhile  have  I  not  earned  a 
good  dinner?  For  in  truth  I  am  as  empty  as  a 
drum." 


CHAPTER  VIII 

A    STRANGE   DEVICE 

j4  NNETJE  speedily  set  to  work  to  prepare  the 
i\  food  Vrouw  Pelgrom  professed  to  stand  so 
-i.  JL  greatly  in  need  of.  The  usual  hour  for 
dining  was  eleven  o'clock,  and  as  the  dame  was  not 
one  to  stint  herself,  the  meal  was  always  hearty. 
A  pottage  of  brown  or  green  peas  mashed  with 
ginger,  or  a  soup  of  white  beans  mixed  with  prunes 
and  syrup,  formed  the  first  course,  after  which  would 
come  a  hutsepot  of  chopped  meat  and  vegetables. 
On  this  day  Annetje  prepared  cabbage,  which  was 
counted  a  luxury,  and  stewed  it  with  fat  pork  fla- 
voured with  nutmeg.  The  good  dame  smacked  her 
lips  over  it,  and  her  trencher  was  refilled  more  than 
once  from  the  great  bowl  in  the  centre  of  the  table. 
To  be  sure  she  looked  forward  to  a  "  piece  "  in  the 
afternoon  at  three  and  before  she  retired  for  the 
night  she  would  eat  a  supper  of  eggs,  white  bread 
sop,  cheese  and  cold  meat  with  apple  sauce  or  any 
such  confection  Annetje  had  on  hand;  but  dinner 
was  the  serious  undertaking  of  the  day  and  her  spoon 
never  rested  till  her  appetite  was  satisfied.  When 
that  was  accomplished  she  laid  it  down  with  a  huge 
sigh  of  contentment  and  polished  her  trencher  with 
a  bit  of  bread. 

"  There  is  a  new  drink  come  to  the  colony,  An- 
netje," she  remarked.  "  Vrouw  Theunis  was  tell- 
ing me  of  it  the  other  day.  She  said  it  is  strangely 
comforting  and  is  the  drawn  tincture  of  a  dried  berry 

67 


68  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

mixed  with  milk,  cloves,  cinnamon,  sugar  and  grisam- 
ber.  'Tis  called  '  caffe  '  but  I  know  not  where  they 
find  the  plant." 

*'  I  doubt  it  is  as  tasty  as  jocolato,"  Annetje  an- 
swered. *'  Were  I  rich,  a  think  I  should  have  it  at 
every  meal  with  izer  cookies  or  oblies." 

"  Aye,  and  grow  as  fat  as  am  I,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
declared.  *'  'Tis  said  this  caffe  is  different,  con- 
taining most  valuable  medical  properties.  I  think 
we  must  try  it." 

The  good  soul  talked  on  about  this  or  that  kind 
of  food  or  drink,  and  Annetje,  busy  with  the  clearing 
of  the  table,  needed  not  to  keep  her  mind  upon 
the  matter,  knowing  that  here  was  a  subject  upon 
which  the  dame  required  no  prompting. 

Her  own  thoughts  were  concerned  with  the  tale  she 
had  just  heard,  but  though  she  had  been  much  in- 
terested the  ending  had  left  a  sharp  sting  of  disap- 
pointment. It  was  exciting,  even  after  all  the  years 
that  had  passed,  to  think  that  she  had  actually  sat 
upon  the  same  chair  with  his  High  Mightiness  Gov- 
ernor Stuyvesant  before  all  the  people  in  the  Stadt- 
huys,  but  that  gave  her  no  clue  to  whom  her  parents 
were  or  whether  she  was  really  Dutch  or  no.  In 
truth  she  was  no  nearer  the  facts  which  she  wished 
most  to  know,  than  she  had  been  before. 

A  little  later,  when  they  were  hard  at  work  once 
more  upon  the  compounding  of  their  essences,  An- 
netje referred  again  to  her  past. 

*'  What  became  of  the  doeskin  suit,  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom? "  she  asked. 

*'  I  have  it  for  thee,"  the  dame  answered. 
'*  Thou  shalt  see  it  tonight  after  supper.  I  began 
to  wonder  if  thou  hadst  no  curiosity." 

*'  'Tis  not  only  that,"  Annetje  replied  thought- 
fully, "  but  'tis  all  I  have  of  value  in  the  world,  and 


A  Strange  Device  69 

I  wish  not  to  be  beholden  to  a  woman  who  planned 
to  sell  me  as  so  much  live  stock." 

Dame  Pelgrom  chuckled  and  glanced  approvingly 
at  the  firm-lipped  girl. 

"  Nay,  thou  art  not  beholden  to  Vrouw  Virrhage, 
my  dear,"  she  answered.  *'  That  debt  was  dis- 
charged long  years  ago  and  with  thine  own  money, 
too.  There  were  indeed  three  sets  of  thy  Indian 
clothes.  Upon  consideration  I  argued  to  myself 
that  when  thou  wert  a  woman  grown  thou  wouldst 
not  like  it  if  even  for  a  short  time  thou  wert  nour- 
ished by  an  ungracious  charity.  So  thinking,  I  went 
before  the  burghermeesters  and  craved  permission  to 
sell  one  of  thy  simpler  suits  and  to  give  to  Vrouw 
Virrhage  all  she  could  justly  claim  for  thy  board 
and  lodging.  This  was  done,  and  I  have  still  a  few 
florins  left  for  thee  tied  up  In  one  of  thy  tiny  moc- 
casins. Thou  shalt  have  all  thy  Httle  treasures  after 
supper." 

"  I  am  most  anxious  to  see  them,"  Annetje  replied, 
"  and  I  thank  thee  heartily  for  discharging  my  debt 
to  Vrouw  Virrhage." 

"  Aye,  even  as  a  child,  ere  thou  couldst  speak  a 
word  of  Dutch,  thou  hadst  a  proper  spirit,"  the  dame 
murmured  half  to  herself. 

The  sun  had  set  when  Vrouw  Pelgrom  came 
waddling  back  from  her  sleeping-chamber  bearing 
a  small  waxed  trunk. 

"  We  must  have  more  light,  Annetje,"  she  an- 
nounced Importantly.  "  Set  a  spark  to  the  betty- 
lamp." 

"  Nay  the  lamp  makes  such  a  vile,  oily  smoke," 
Annetje  answered.  "  Would  it  not  do  if  I  lighted 
some  candle  wood?  There's  plenty  prepared  and 
'twill  serve  two  purposes,  for  we  have  need  of  the 
pitch  that  will  ooze  from  it  for  cough  syrup." 


70  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

*'  Have  your  own  way,"  the  dame  grumbled. 
"  To  my  thinking  you  favour  pine  torches  because 
they  savour  of  the  Indians.  I  sometimes  wonder 
why  it  is  thou  hast  not  run  off  into  the  woods  ere 
this  and  left  me  in  my  old  age." 

"  It  would  not  be  so  easy  to  get  rid  of  me,"  An- 
netje  laughed  easily.  "  Who  would  do  the  cake 
pasting  against  St.  Nicholas  Eve  an  I  joined  the 
wllden?  " 

^'  'Tis  not  cake  pasting  I  have  in  mind,"  the  dame 
answered  testily,  as  she  sat  down  before  the  fire  with 
the  box  upon  her  lap.  "  Thou  hast  a  way  of  speak- 
ing as  if  I  cared  for  naught  but  things  to  eat.  That 
thou  hast  a  longing  for  the  woods  I  know  only  too 
well,  and  I  tell  thee  plain  I  should  not  be  surprised 
If  thou  went  back  to  the  Indians  in  spite  of  thy 
Dutch  blood." 

Annetje  sobered  on  the  Instance  and  glanced  up 
from  the  hearth  where  she  was  kindling  a  light  upon 
the  candle-stone. 

"  Art  sure  my  blood  Is  Dutch?  "  she  asked. 

The  dame  looked  at  her  a  moment  critically,  then 
shook  her  head  up  and  down  with  great  positlveness. 

"Of  course  thou  art  Dutch!  "  she  snapped,  and 
Annetje  knew  that  here  was  no  time  to  go  further 
into  that  subject.  Nor  was  she  herself  ready  to 
discuss  all  that  was  in  her  mind  In  regard  to  the 
matter.  She  was  hoping  that  the  sight  of  her  little 
Indian  dresses  would  stir  memories  that  would  give 
her  the  clue  she  sought.  Then  there  was  the  pos- 
sibility of  finding  among  the  relics  of  her  babyhood 
some  trace  overlooked  by  others  who  had  less  con- 
cern for  the  details  of  her  birth.  She  could  hardly 
wait  until  the  box  was  open,  and  drew  up  a  small 
table  before  the  dame's  chair  seating  herself  on  a 
stool  close  by. 


A  Strange  Device  71 

But  Vrouw  Pelgrom  was  in  no  mood  to  be  hur- 
ried. The  little  lacquered  coffer  before  her  awak- 
ened many  memories  and  leaning  forward,  with  her 
hands  folded  complacently,  she  let  her  mind  wander 
over  bygone  scenes. 

"  When  I  come  to  realize  how  little  I  can  recall 
of  the  years  I  have  spent  here,"  she  began,  "  I  am 
less  filled  with  surprise  at  thy  forgetfulness.  Only 
a  few  of  the  more  important  things  can  I  remember. 
Wouter  Van  Twiller  was  Governor  when  first  I 
landed.  He  was  own  nephew  to  Killlaen  Van  Rens- 
selaer, the  great  patroon  of  Rensselaerswyck,  up 
the  North  River.  Van  Twiller  followed  Peter 
Minuit  and  was  a  robber,  no  less.  After  him  came 
Kieft,  who  was  worse  still,  and  to  my  thinking  his 
actions  had  somewhat  to  do  with  thy  history." 

"  How  could  that  be?  "  demanded  Annetje. 

*'  'Twas  Kieft's  talk  of  gold  took  Virrhage  to 
the  north,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  answered,  "  but  that 
was  but  the  end  of  the  business  so  far  as  thou  wert 
concerned.  'Twas  Kieft  first  brought  us  into  seri- 
ous trouble  with  the  Indians.  He  winked  at  the 
Illicit  trade  In  guns  and  rum,  making,  I  doubt  not, 
a  pretty  penny  out  of  It.  But  that  was  not  the  worst. 
'Twas  by  his  connivance  that  a  whole  tribe  that 
trusted  him  was  massacred  In  spite  of  all  de  Vrles 
could  do.  None  can  blame  the  wllden  If  they  can- 
not forgive  that  act;  so  it  has  come  about  that  In 
spite  of  Peter  Stuyvesant's  good  will  and  friendship 
toward  the  savages,  they  cannot  forget  what  Kieft 
did  and  take  their  revenge  when  and  where  chance 
serves.  They  steal  upon  the  lonely  farmer,  or  go 
in  bands  to  small  villages  to  kill  and  rob.  'Tis  their 
custom  to  carry  off  children  who  take  their  fancy 
and  adopt  them  Into  their  tribe,  and  In  some  such 
way  thou,  doubtless,  wert  made  captive,  as  was  Ann 


72  A  Mild  of  Old  Manhattin 

Illfhimoe's  granddaughter  from  Annie's  Hoeck. 
Why,  ka^ing  spared  tiiy  life,  they  treated  thee  also 
with  so  mBdi  considcratioii,  I  know  not.  but  I  feel 

svre  that  had  it  not  been  for  that  villain  Kieft  thou 
wouldst  not  be  here  For  thy  sake  I  could  forgive 
that  <^  rascal,  and  I  bat  tell  thee  these  things  as 
they  cone  into  mj  mind  as  I  hark  back  into  the 
past.'' 

This  tale  of  Vrouw  Pelgrom's  had  set  Annetje 
upon  another  train  of  rfaoqghr.  The  treachery  of 
Bcft  lad  altered  the  Indians,  not  alone  against 
Km  bat  ag^unst  all  the  Dutch.  This  being  the  case, 
woidd  the  red  men,  knowing  that  she  was  one  of 
bated  mfmifs,  baTe  given  her  the  tender  care 
bad  received  at  tbeir  kands?  Woold  it  not  be 
reasonable  to  s<]|>pose  that  they  knew  she  was 
Ditfch?  Herein,  indeed,  might  lie  the  eiiplana- 
tion  for  tbeir  kindnrtt,  though  in  truth  it  would  not 
accnont  for  the  Tigilanrr  with  which  they  had 
0Barded  her  daring  aH  the  years  since.  Neverthe- 
less here  was  anodier  straw  pointing  to  the  belief 
that  she  was  not  Dutch  as  all  had  sopposed.  which 
was  fast  bemming  a  conviction  in  the  girl's  mind 
and  turning  her  thoughts  in  the  direaion  hinted  at 
by  the  pedlar.     She  might  be  English  after  alL 

Bat  now  was  no  time  to  talk  to  Vrouw  Pelgrom  on 
that  subject,  and  moreover  Annetje  was  imp 2 dent 
to  see  the  contents  of  the  waxed  cotter. 

'•  Shan't  we  open  the  box?  ''  she  asked  coaxingly. 
''  I  am  most  anxioos  to  see  what  lies  therein.'' 

"Aye,  let  ns  unlock  it,''  answered  the  dame, 
smoothing  oat  her  apron  with  her  fat  hands  as  if  in 
preparation  for  a  great  event.  "  L  too.  am  anxious 
to  see  the  little  garments  once  again.  I  have  often 
looked  forward  to  this  day  through  thy  childhood, 
when  thou  wert  of  an  age  to  appreciate 


A  Strange  Device  73 

their  worth  we  two  would  have  grown  dose  to  each 
other  in  affection." 

With  deft  fingers  she  opened  the  small  coffer  and 
removed  the  wrapping  from  around  the  tiny  gar- 
ments. Annette  leaned  forward  in  tense  eagerness, 
wondering  if  the  sight  of  them  would  aid  her  mem- 
ory^; but  when  at  length  they  were  spread  upon  the 
table  no  amount  of  efiort  upon  her  part  could  sum- 
mon aught  but  recollections  of  the  Indian  camp. 
The  clothes  she  did  recall  vaguely,  and  their  rare 
quality  brought  her  remembrances  of  the  gentle 
Indian  woman  who  had  taken  the  place  of  mother 
to  her,  so  that  her  eyes  filled  with  tears.  She  needed 
no  reminder  of  the  fond  care  the  Sachem's  squaw 
had  bestowed,  for  that  was  ever  alive  in  her  heart, 
but  here  was  the  evidence  of  the  tender  afiection 
she  had  heretofore  taken  for  granted. 

*'  'Twas  a  skilled  hand  and  a  lo\"ing  heart 
fashioned  those.  Annetje,"  Vrouw  Pelgrora  said 
earnestly,  as  she  handled  the  soft  doeskin.  ''  Saw 
you  ever  such  fine  stitches?  " 

Annetje  took  the  little  garments  up,  calling  them 
by  their  Indian  names,  too  filled  with  the  life  that 
was  past  to  say  aught  more,  and  the  old  dame,  un- 
derstanding, pressed  not  for  an  answer  but  chattered 
on. 

**  'Tis  wonderful,"  she  murmured,  picking  up  a 
jacket  of  the  finest  otter.  '*  I  ne'er  saw  such  bead- 
ing before  or  since.     'Tis  worth  a  small  fortune/' 

**  Love  went  into  every  stitch,"  Annetje  answered 
softly.  '*  My  mother  worked  it.  My  Indian  mother, 
I  mean." 

'*  Aye,  and  'twas  thy  Dutch  moeder  kept  it  safe 
for  thee,''  Vrouw  Pelgrom  reminded  her.  ^'  No 
moth  has  sharpened  tooth  on  it  in  all  this  time.  I 
owed  that  to  thee  and  to  the  woman  who  made  it. 


74  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

I  have  no  great  affection  for  the  savages,  as  thou 
knowest,  but  I  should  think  the  less  of  thee,  An- 
netje,  if  thou  didst  not  hold  a  warm  place  in  thy 
heart  for  the  one  whose  loving  hands  wrought 
this  work.  Thy  tears  bring  no  envy  to  thy  Dutch 
moeder,  my  dear." 

"I  am  a  lucky  girl  to  have  found  two  such 
mothers,"  Annetje  said  with  a  brave  little  smile. 
*'  I  cannot  think  I  deserve  such  good  fortune." 

*'  That  is  a  matter  thou  canst  in  safety  leave 
others  to  decide,"  returned  the  dame,  getting  pon- 
derously to  her  feet.  '*  Kiss  me  good-night.  I  am 
off  to  bed  and  will  leave  thee  with  thy  memories." 

When  she  had  gone  Annetje  took  up  her  treasures 
one  after  another,  seeking  some  clue  to  her  forgotten 
past.  Beside  the  clothing  there  were  several  neck- 
laces of  coloured  stones,  shells,  beads,  dried  berries 
and  pieces  of  metal.  Two  pairs  of  tiny  moccasins 
there  were,  heavily  beaded,  in  one  of  which  were  the 
florins  Vrouw  Pelgrom  had  saved  for  her  from  the 
sale  of  the  third  suit.  But  everything  else  was  of 
Indian  manufacture  and  brought  no  answer  to  the 
question  of  her  existence  ere  she  had  been  found  in 
the  forest. 

For  the  third  time  she  was  examining  a  short 
jerkin  or  coat,  she  knew  not  what  to  call  it  in  Dutch, 
which  was  so  stiff  with  beads  that  it  nigh  stood  alone, 
soft  leather  though  It  was.  The  designs  of  the 
beading,  as  In  all  the  other  pieces,  were  Indian  and 
held  to  simple  patterns,  yet  were  varied  In  each 
of  the  little  garments.  But  as  Annetje  handled  It, 
with  her  thoughts  far  away  in  the  wild  woods  of  the 
north,  a  lozenge  shaped  bit  of  the  embroidery  caught 
her  eye.  It  was  sewn  upon  the  jacket  near  the  neck 
and  was  unlike  the  rest  of  the  nearly  solid  beadwork, 
yet  held  no  conspicuous  place  in  the  design.     Annetje 


A  Strange  Device  75 

scrutinized  it  searchlngly  for  a  moment,  then  taking 
up  the  other  jacket  found  thereon  a  similar  device. 
It  was  upon  the  moccasins  and  other  garments  as 
well,  as  if  indeed  it  was  a  special  mark  which  was 
used  for  her  alone. 

"  'Tis  a  curious  pattern,^'  Annetje  said  to  herself. 
"  I'm  sure  it  is  not  Indian,  and  yet  —  what  else  could 
it  be." 


CHAPTER  IX 

fire!     fire! 

A  NNETJE  had  slept  scarce  an  hour  when  she 
/^L  found  herself  broad  awake  sitting  up  in  her 
^  -^  shelf-like  bed  and  hstening  intently.  Near 
the  hearth,  where  the  glowing  coals  still  gave  a 
ruddy  light  she  saw  Nickje,  his  sharp  nose  pointed 
toward  her,  and  his  twinkling  eyes  fixed  upon  her 
inquiringly. 

Suddenly,  from  some  distance  away,  the  long 
drawn  cry  of  "Brant!  Brant!"  reached  her  ears 
and  she  leaped  up  and  began  dressing  hurriedly. 
It  was  the  Ratel  Wacht  of  Nieuw  Amsterdam  warn- 
ing the  town  of  fire,  and  as  the  houses  were  mostly 
of  wood  the  alarm  always  brought  the  able  bodied 
citizens  to  the  scene,  many  carrying  their  own  leath- 
ern fire-buckets  to  aid  in  fighting  the  flames  lest  a 
conflagration  overwhelm  the  entire  city. 

"  Oh,  Annetje,  are  we  in  danger?  "  called  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  from  the  adjoining  room.  "  Run,  child, 
and  see  where  it  is.'* 

"  In  a  moment,"  Annetje  answered.  "  I'm  nigh 
dressed.  From  the  sound  I  think  the  fire  is  in  our 
quarter  but  not  very  near." 

She  was  soon  ready  and  taking  down  her  hooded 
cloak  from  its  hook  she  threw  it  about  her  and  went 
forth  into  the  moonlit  night,  the  racoon  perched  upon 
her  shoulder. 

Almost  as  if  she  had  given  the  signal  the  doors 
of  other  houses  along  the  Marckveldt  Steegie  opened 
and  dark  forms  rushed  into  the  lane,  heading  toward 

76 


Fire!     Fire!  77 

the  Breede  Weg.  A  bright  red  glow  in  the  sky 
marked  the  location  of  the  blaze. 

"Know  you  where  the  fire  is?"  Annetje  called 
to  a  man,  flying  past  the  Httle  gate. 

*'  Aye,"  he  shouted  back.  "  'Tis  in  the  thatched 
roof  of  Mynheer  Varleth's  house." 

Annetje  ran  back  to  Vrouw  Pelgrom  with  her 
news,  not  unmindful  of  the  important  fact  that  Mev- 
rouw  Varleth  was  the  sister  of  the  great  Stuyvesant, 
and  the  dwelling  one  of  the  best  in  the  town. 

"  Now  for  once  the  poor  are  spared!  "  cried  the 
dame,  when  Annetje  had  told  her.  "  I  said  to  my- 
self that  it  would  be  some  one  who  could  ill-afford 
to  pay  a  fine  of  three  guilders  because  Gridtje,  the 
chimney  sweep,  had  scamped  his  work." 

"  'Tis  more  than  a  dirty  chimney  from  the  look 
in  the  sky,"  answered  Annetje.  "  Fll  run  on  and 
come  back  to  thee  with  an  account  of  what's  toward." 

"  Alack  that  I  cannot  go  with  thee,"  sighed  Vrouw 
Pelgrom.  "  There  are  times  when  It  is  ill-luck  to 
be  so  fat.  Nor  do  I  like  thy  being  abroad  alone  at 
this  hour." 

"  Nay,  fear  not  that  I  shall  be  alone,"  cried  An- 
netje, as  she  hurried  off.  "  All  the  town  wnll  be 
there,  and  for  extra  precaution  I  shall  take  Nickje 
with  me." 

She  heard  Vrouw  Pelgrom  grumbling  as  she  ran 
off,  but  knowing  the  cause  of  it  to  be  the  good  dame's 
disappointment  that  she  might  not  share  in  the  ex- 
citement, she  went  her  way  unheeding. 

Once  out  of  doors,  the  racoon  dropped  to  the 
ground,  and  the  two  hurried  on,  rather  enjoying  the 
novelty  of  a  scamper  at  night.  Nickje  chose  his  own 
route,  keeping  to  the  shadows,  and  the  girl,  sure 
that  he  was  able  to  take  care  of  himself,  had  no 
anxiety  on  his  account. 


78  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

As  Annetje  had  told  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  nigh  all 
the  town  was  out,  and  she  soon  came  up  with  a  little 
knot  of  her  neighbours,  all  hastening  in  the  same 
direction.  There  was  much  loud  talk,  bandied  back 
and  forth  as  they  hurried  forward.  Most  of  the 
girls  being  young  were  more  impressed  by  the  nov- 
elty of  the  occasion  than  by  its  possible  seriousness. 
However,  when  at  length  they  arrived  upon  the 
scene,  the  flames  were  already  dwindling  and  'twas 
plain  that  the  fire  was  a  small  one  and  that  no  great 
damage  had  resulted. 

*'  The  new  town  fire-buckets  must  have  done  good 
work,"  some  one  said  in  disappointed  tones. 

*'  I  heard  they  cost  all  of  six  guilders  each,"  came 
a  complaining  voice. 

"  The  Governor  will  count  them  cheap  an  they 
saved  his  sister's  house,"  a  third  commented. 

"  Aye,  that  he  will,"  grumbled  another,  "  for  the 
taxes  that  paid  for  them  came  not  out  of  his  money- 
bags." 

"  Nay,  now,"  Annetje  put  in,  "  the  Governor  pays 
a  guilder  for  each  of  his  chimneys,  like  the  least  of 
us." 

Grietje  Olpherts,  standing  near,  tossed  her  head 
scornfully. 

"  I'd  know  who  said  that  on  the  darkest  night,'* 
she  sneered  for  all  to  hear. 

"  Aye,"  laughed  Madaleen  Wittsen,  ''  Annetje 
Pelgrom  always  has  a  good  word  to  defend  the 
High  and  Mighty  ones." 

*'  As  I  told  her  but  the  other  day,  she  Is  too  arlsto- 
cratical  for  us  humble  folk,"  Grietje  remarked  dis- 
agreeably, and  there  was  a  titter  among  the  girls 
nearby. 

But  Madaleen  had  a  real  liking  for  Annetje  and 
some  realization  of  her  sensitiveness,  and  though  her 


Fire !     Fire !  79 

words  had  been  spoken  in  the  best  of  humours  she 
was  sorry  now  that  she  had  said  them. 

*'  'Tis  a  foolish  girl  who  stays  to  listen  to  flat- 
tery! "  she  exclaimed,  and  putting  her  arm  through 
Annetje's  she  drew  her  away  from  the  others. 
''  Come,  let  us  go  nearer  the  house,"  she  whispered, 
as  they  moved  off. 

"  In  sooth  I  meant  not  to  flatter,"  they  heard 
Grietje  call  after  them,  and  laughed  gaily  in  re- 
sponse. 

"  In  sooth  she  means  not  to  leave  me  in  any 
doubt,"  Annetje  chuckled,  in  no  wise  put  out  by 
Grietje's  ungracious  speech. 

"  She's  an  envious  minx,"  Madaleen  protested. 

"  Nay,"  said  Annetje  merrily,  "  she  cannot  for- 
give me  that  she  let  the  grey  goose  and  her  family 
run  belter  skelter  through  my  wash.  Little  harm 
was  done,  but  Grietje  seemed  to  take  it  ill  that  1 
shed  no  tears  over  the  mishap." 

''  'Tis  hard  to  forgive  others  for  our  own  faults," 
Madaleen  replied.  "  I'll  wager  Grietje  was  admir- 
ing herself  in  the  stream  instead  of  minding  her 
work." 

Annetje  smiled  to  herself,  to  think  how  near 
Madaleen  had  come  to  hitting  upon  the  truth  of  the 
matter,  but  held  her  tongue,  not  minded  to  tell  tales, 
and  changed  the  subject  to  the  scene  before  them. 

They  had  pushed  forward  until  now  they  were 
not  far  from  the  door  of  Mevrouw  Varleth's  house 
in  the  lower  floors  of  which  the  candles  burned 
cheerily,  as  if  naught  were  amiss.  The  fire  was 
extinguished,  although  men  still  passed  bucket  after 
bucket  of  water  to  those  on  the  roof,  who  continued 
to  soak  the  thatch  for  fear  of  lurking  sparks.  After 
all,  little  damage  had  been  done.  The  new  town 
buckets  had  indeed  fulfilled  their  mission  admirably, 


8o  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

and  the  people  might  have  gone  back  to  their  homes 
satisfied  that  no  further  danger  was  to  be  appre- 
hended that  night,  but  they  stayed  on  knowing  that 
the  end  was  not  yet. 

And  presently  what  they  were  expecting  came  to 
pass.  Mevrouw  Varleth,  opening  wide  the  front 
door,  stepped  out  upon  the  stoep  and  looked  about 
her.  In  an  instant  there  was  a  hush  among  the 
waiting  crowd  and  a  craning  forward  by  those  at 
the  back  as  if  they  feared  to  miss  something. 

"  I  thank  you,  my  neighbours,  in  my  husband's 
name  as  well  as  in  my  own,"  Mevrouw  Varleth  be- 
gan in  a  gracious  voice.  "  By  your  good  will  the 
peril  to  our  home  is  mercifully  averted.  I  beg  that 
you  will  step  within  for  a  glass  of  something  warm 
to  protect  you  against  the  chill  of  the  night." 

A  cheer  of  acceptance  greeted  her  invitation,  and 
a  general  movement  toward  the  entrance  of  the 
house  pushed  Annetje  and  Madaleen  still  closer. 

Neither  of  the  girls  had  any  intention  of  joining 
those  who  were  so  ready  to  accept  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth's  hospitality,  but  Annetje  stood  for  a  moment 
watching  a  scene  upon  the  stoep. 

As  Mevrouw  Varleth  had  ended  her  little  speech 
young  Balthazar  Stuyvesant  ran  up  to  her.  He  was 
without  his  coat  and  his  fine  laced  shirt  was  much 
begrimed  by  smoke  and  water. 

*' Can  I  do  aught  for  thee,  Aunt  Anna?"  he 
cried,  as  he  reached  her  side,  and  stooped  to  kiss 
her  hand  ceremoniously. 

*'  Aye,  indeed  thou  canst,"  she  replied  readily. 
"  Most  of  the  family  are  in  Hooboocken  so  that  I 
am  short  handed  in  the  house.  Send  me  two 
maidens  to  help  serve  the  spiced  wine  to  the  men. 
And  for  goodness'  sake,  Balthazar,"  she  went  on 
with  a  laugh,  '*  see  to  it  that  I  am  not  killed  by  kind- 


Fire !     Fire !  8 1 

ness.  The  fire  Is  all  out  but  they  cease  not  to  spill 
water.  And  it  is  soaking  everything  upon  the  top 
floors." 

"  I'll  stop  them  at  once,"  Balthazar  promised,  and 
turned  to  do  her  bidding.  As  he  did  so  his  eye  lit 
upon  Annetje  and  he  paused  for  a  moment  looking 
down  upon  her.     Then  he  went  straight  to  her. 

"  Your  pardon,"  he  began,  with  a  polite  little 
bow,  which  included  both  girls,  "  but  my  aunt  needs 
help  indoors.  If  it  is  not  too  much  to  ask  will 
you  not  go  to  her  assistance?  " 

Now  in  truth  there  were  people  of  all  degrees  in 
that  assemblage,  great  folk  as  well  as  plain  and 
it  would  have  been  more  usual  had  Balthazar  ap- 
pealed to  those  of  his  own  station.  There  were 
none  in  the  town  who  would  not  have  thought  it 
an  honour  to  lend  a  helping  hand  to  the  sister  of 
their  Governor  in  such  an  emergency;  so  the  young 
man's  request  came  as  a  great  surprise  to  the  two 
maids. 

"  We  will  go  gladly,"  Annetje  answered,  being 
the  first  to  recover  her  composure.  ''  Come,  Mada- 
leen,"  she  went  on,  "  Mevrouw  Varleth  must  not 
be  kept  waiting."  And  with  a  steady  countenance 
she  took  her  companion's  arm  and  they  moved  to- 
gether into  the  house.  Balthazar  cast  a  look  after 
them  and  then  went  swiftly  to  discharge  his  other 
errand. 

" 'TIs  indeed  a  high  honour!"  Madaleen  whis- 
pered in  Annetje's  ear.  ''  What  will  my  moeder 
say?  And  she  at  home  with  the  baby's  tooth. 
'Twill  be  grand  news." 

Annetje  said  nothing,  but  her  mind  was  busy  and 
she  wondered  If  perhaps  the  young  Heer  Stuyvesant 
had  made  a  mistake  In  the  half  light  of  the  moon 
and  confused  them  with  maids  of  his  acquaintance. 


82  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

On  the  other  hand  he  had  seemed  quite  deliberate 
in  seeking  them  and,  whatever  the  explanation,  they 
could  not,  In  all  courtesy,  refuse  to  do  what  he  had 
asked.  Thinking  which  she  mounted  the  stoep  with- 
out embarrassment. 

Inside  the  house  all  was  so  calm  and  ordered  that 
it  seemed  Impossible  such  confusion  could  exist  out- 
side. The  narrow  hall  was  illuminated  by  many 
candles,  a  fire  burned  on  the  hearth  of  the  voorhuys 
through  the  doorway  of  which  they  saw  that  already 
a  great  table  had  been  laid,  with  many  mugs  set 
round  a  huge  punch  bowl  in  the  centre. 

If  Mevrouw  Varleth  was  surprised  at  her 
nephew's  choice  of  maids  to  aid  her  she  did  not 
betray  it,  greeting  Annetje  and  Madaleen  pleas- 
antly. 

"  The  young  Heer  Stuyvesant  said  you  would  like 
us  to  help  you,"  Annetje  explained. 

'*  Aye,  and  thank  you  for  coming,"  Mevrouw 
Varletn  replied  with  a  smile.  She  was  quick  to  note 
the  fact  that  Madaleen  was  no  different  from  others 
of  her  class  in  town  and  grew  rosy  while  she  dropped 
curtsey  after  curtsey  to  the  great  lady,  whereas  An- 
netje gave  no  sign  of  confusion  and  waited  quietly 
for  her  instructions. 

"  My  fear  is  that  with  so  many  thirsty  ones  we 
shall  not  have  mugs  enough  for  the  spiced  wine  I 
wish  to  offer  them,"  Mevrouw  Varleth  explained. 
**  Most  of  my  servants  are  above,  mopping  up  the 
water  coming  through  the  roof,  but  there  are  still 
two  blacks  In  the  kitchen  to  wash  and  dry,  so  if 
you  girls  will  take  out  the  empty  mugs  and  bring 
back  clean  ones  I  shall  be  much  beholden  to  you." 

Madaleen  was  still  a  little  overcome  by  the  honour 
thrust  upon  her,  but  Annetje  took  her  tone  from 
Mevrouw  Varleth  to  perfection. 


Fire  I     Fire  I  83 

'* '  Turn  about  is  fair  play,'  "  she  quoted.  "  They 
had  a  bucket  brigade  for  you  outside,  'tis  but  right 
that  we  should  have  one  for  them  here." 

And  Mevrouw  Varleth  laughed,  the  while  she 
shot  an  appraising  glance  at  Annetje  and  said  to 
herself,  *'  I'll  wager  this  is  the  one  Balthazar  ad- 
mires." 

"  How  canst  thou  be  so  calm  with  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth, as  if  she  were  my  moeder  or  Vrouw  Pelgrom?  '* 
Madaleen  whispered,  as  they  hurried  toward  the 
kitchen. 

"  Why,  I  like  her,"  Annetje  replied,  her  eyes  wide 
with  surprise. 

*'  But  even  with  us  girls  thou  art  silent,  and  I've 
always  thought  thee  shy,"  Madaleen  explained. 
"  Yet  with  these  great  ones  thou  hast  never  a  blush 
and  art  as  easy  in  thy  ways  as  if  thou  wert  a  lady 
of  quality." 

*'  Nay,  that  is  silly  talk,"  retorted  Annetje  with 
a  little  laugh.  "  'Tis  when  I  do  not  like  people 
that  my  tongue  is  tied.  None  could  help  admiring 
Mevrouw  Varleth.  She  is  so  tall  and  dignified  with- 
out being  always  concerned  for  her  own  greatness. 
Yes,  I  do  like  her,"  she  added  half  to  herself. 

"  I  do  not  understand,"  Madaleen  insisted. 

*'  At  least  I've  never  been  silent  with  thee,"  An- 
netje answered,  giving  her  companion's  arm  a 
squeeze,  for  in  truth  she  had  an  affection  for  Mada- 
leen. 

"  Aye,  thou  hast  ever  had  a  word  for  my  faults," 
the  other  responded  with  a  smile,  and  with  that  the 
two  busied  themselves  at  their  tasks,  finding  no  fur- 
ther time  to  talk  till  all  was  done. 


CHAPTER  X 

THE    GREAT   DIRECTOR   GENERAL 

IT  was  not  only  Mevrouw  Varleth's  spiced  wine 
that  brought  the  people  crowding  mto  her 
house.  There  were  many  who  had  never  seen 
the  interior  of  so  rich  an  establishment,  and  there 
was  a  natural  curiosity  to  view  the  furnishings. 
Moreover  Mevrouw  Varleth  held  a  wide  reputa- 
tion as  a  notable  housewife  and  the  good  Vrouwen 
of  NIeuw  Amsterdam  wished  to  see  for  themselves 
if  this  reputation  was  deserved.  They  were  all 
fine  judges  in  such  matters,  taking  a  huge  pride  in 
the  cleanliness  of  their  own  dwellings,  a  virtue  which 
they  claimed  was  peculiar  to  the  Dutch. 

But  if  they  hoped  to  pick  flaws  in  the  order  and 
neatness  of  Mevrouw  Varleth's  arrangements,  they 
were  doomed  to  disappointment.  In  spite  of  the 
fire  and  smoke,  the  brasses  shone  like  gold,  the 
pewter  like  silver  and  the  fine  china  ware,  carefully 
displayed  in  glass-fronted  cupboards  brought  from 
Holland,  was  so  specklessly  polished  that  even  the 
most  critical  could  not  withhold  their  admiration. 

"  Doest  think  they  ever  use  them?"  asked  one, 
of  a  neighbour,  pointing  to  a  row  of  porringers 
upon  a  shelf. 

"  I  doubt  not  they  do,"  came  the  answer,  "  but 
to  my  thinking  'tis  a  foolishness  to  have  a  dish  for 
each  bit  of  food  one  eats  at  table.  A  good 
trencher  serves  for  all  and  needs  no  polishing,  say 
I." 

84 


The  Great  Director  General  S^ 

"  And  look  you  at  the  three  pronged  forks,"  ex- 
claimed another.  ''  'Tis  but  pride  to  take  so  dan- 
gerous an  instrument  to  carry  victuals  to  one's 
mouth.  A  spoon  for  sop  and  such  like  I  hold  with, 
but  for  solid  stutt  my  ten  fingers  will  serve  me  till 
my  death,  and  show  no  wear  and  tear." 

So  they  gossiped  of  this  and  that  in  little  groups, 
while  they  supped  their  wine  and  nibbled  at  the  izer 
cookies  Annetje  and  Madaleen  handed  about,  mak- 
ing no  effort  to  hide  their  curiosity  and  seemingly 
caring  little  if  their  lady  hostess  heard  their  com- 
ments upon  her  housewifely  arts. 

Annetje,  busy  with  her  tasks  and  intent  upon  doing 
them  as  well  as  she  was  able,  paid  scant  attention 
to  what  went  on  about  her.  Her  duties  kept  her 
running  between  the  kitchen  and  the  living-room  to 
replenish  the  supply  of  clean  mugs  and  to  help  Mev- 
rouw  Varleth  in  other  ways,  but  she  shortly  became 
aware  that  among  the  men  who  crowded  about  the 
large  table,  was  the  young  pedlar.  Now  and  then 
she  would  look  up,  always  to  catch  his  eye  fixed 
upon  her,  but  she  scarce  gave  him  a  thought. 

She  was  surprised  therefore,  when  he  stepped 
boldly  up  and  asked  if  he  could  not  help  her  in  her 
work. 

"  Xay,"  answered  Annetje,  indifterently,  ''  there's 
naught  you  can  do." 

"  I  can  at  least  carry  a  tray  full  of  empty  mugs," 
he  replied  with  a  smile. 

He  seemed  quite  sincere  in  his  offer,  and  Annetje 
could  not  do  less  than  acknowledge  it. 

"  I  thank  you,"  she  said,  picking  up  the  tray,  *'  but 
I  need  no  help."     And  she  started  oil. 

Annetje  did  not  realize  that  the  man  had  followed 
her  until  she  had  reached  the  kitchen  and  there  found 
him  at  her  side. 


86  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

**  I  wanted  to  have  a  little  talk  with  you  before 
I  went  away,"  he  whispered  in  her  ear. 

"Are  you  going  so  soon?"  she  asked,  thinking 
of  the  many  articles  Vrouw  Pelgrom  was  preparing. 

"  Aye,  on  the  morrow,"  he  replied.  *'  I  was 
looking  for  you  today — " 

"  But  we  have  scarce  started  on  your  compounds," 
she  interrupted.  "  There's  much  to  be  done  yet,  and 
Vrouw  Pelgrom  — " 

"  They  can  wait.  I  go  upon  another  errand," 
he  interrupted  in  his  turn.  "  This  matter  has 
naught  to  do  with  perfumes  and  such.  I  look  to 
you  to  aid  me,  and  would  have  speech  with  you  in 
private." 

*' Where  are  you  going?"  asked  Annetje,  scarce 
conscious  of  what  the  request  implied. 

The  young  man  looked  at  her  a  moment  quiz- 
zically. 

**  'Tis  not  a  subject  I  should  care  to  discuss  with 
everybody  in  Nieuw  Amsterdam,"  he  answered  with 
a  low  laugh,  "  but  you  are  different.  I  don't  mind 
telling  you  that  I'm  going  north."  He  said  this  in 
an  undertone,  leaning  toward  her  so  that  his  words 
could  not  be  heard  by  others  in  the  room,  and  in  the 
manner  of  his  speaking  there  was  the  implication 
of  a  secret  understanding  between  them.  On  the 
instant  Annetje  stiffened  and  her  lips  closed  tightly 
over  her  set  teeth. 

"  Nay,  my  journey  is  somewhat  in  thy  Interest, 
too,"  he  murmured,  noting  her  look. 

**  It  can  have  naught  to  do  with  me,"  Annetje 
returned  positively.  The  man's  use  of  the  pronoun 
"  thy,"  which  by  right  he  should  have  employed 
only  with  intimates,  annoyed  her. 

"  That  I  can  easily  explain  to  you  if  you  but  give 
me  the  chance,"  he  insisted,  reverting  to  the  more 


The  Great  Director  General  87 

formal  *'  you,"  as  if  to  attribute  her  resentment 
wholly  to  his  familiar  use  of  the  pronoun.  "  I  can- 
not tell  you  in  this  house  what  is  toward.  Have  you 
not  served  enough  of  these  fat  and  stupid  Dutch- 
men? Come,  let  us  get  away  from  here;  for  it  is 
important  — " 

"  Nay,  I  cannot  go  yet,"  Annetje  cut  in,  *'  nor  do 
I  wish  to  talk  to  you  tonight.  There  can  be  naught 
of  a  private  nature  between  us.  If  you  have  aught 
to  say  you  will  find  me  with  Vrouw  Pelgrom  in  the 
morning."  As  she  ended,  Annetje  started  away 
from  the  man  half  angrily,  but  he  persisted,  keeping 
at  her  side. 

"  I  beg  of  you  to  let  me  see  you  alone,"  he  urged. 
"  What  I  have  to  say  is  not  for  the  ears  of  Vrouw 
Pelgrom." 

"  I  beg  you  to  go  away,"  Annetje  retorted,  and 
turned  her  back  to  him,  busying  herself  at  the  table. 

"  Nay,  I  wish  — "  the  pedlar  began  insistently,  but 
a  voice  interrupted  him  in  a  tone  that  admitted  of 
no  argument. 

"  My  aunt  would  not  care  to  entertain  her  guests 
in  the  kitchen,"  said  Balthazar  Stuyvesant,  who  a 
moment  before  had  entered  by  a  side  door.  He 
had  been  quick  to  note  Annetje's  manner  toward  the 
man  and  guessed  rightly  that  she  wished  to  be  rid 
of  him.  There  was  a  momentary  pause,  during 
which  the  two  faced  each  other  and  in  their  exchange 
of  glances  a  challenge  seemed  to  pass;  then  with  a 
slight  bow,  the  pedlar  turned  on  his  heel  and  quitted 
the  room  without  a  word. 

Annetje  was  surprised  by  young  Stuyvesant's  in- 
tervention, but  at  sight  of  the  state  he  was  in  she 
forgot  everything  else  in  her  concern  for  his  con- 
dition. 

*'  May  I  beg  for  a  drop  of  wine  to  warm  me?  " 


88  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

he  asked,  smIHng  at  Annetje,  though  Indeed  his 
teeth  were  chattering.  "  I  am  in  such  a  state  that 
I  cannot  well  go  into  my  aunt's  voorhuys  for  it." 

Instantly  Annetje  gave  him  a  mug  of  hot  wine  and 
watched  him  gravely  while  he  drank  it.  He  was 
soaked  to  the  skin  and  his  blue  lips  were  evidence 
In  plenty  that  he  was  chilled  to  the  bone  as  well. 
His  fine  white  shirt  was  grimy  with  soot  and  his  face 
was  little  better.  Indeed  he  presented  an  appear- 
ance so  foreign  to  his  great  station  as  son  oif  the 
Governor  as  under  other  circumstances  might  have 
seemed  funny.  However,  to  Annetje,  his  was  a  case 
demanding  immediate  attention. 

"  Ah,"  said  Balthazar  as  he  drained  the  mug, 
"  that  makes  me  feel  more  like  myself." 

*'  Go  you  and  sit  by  the  fire,"  Annetje  ordered,  in 
a  tone  that  brooked  no  gainsaying.  "  To  my  think- 
ing a  sup  of  wine  Is  not  enough  if  you  are  to  escape 
your  death  of  cold.  I  must  speak  to  your  aunt  of 
the  matter." 

"Nay — ,"  Balthazar  began,  but  Annetje  went 
upon  her  way  unheeding  and  the  young  man  sat 
himself  down,  as  he  had  been  bid,  with  a  light  laugh. 

Mevrouw  Varleth  met  the  girl  with  a  welcoming 
smile.  She  had  observed  her  throughout  the  eve- 
ning and  what  she  saw  had  pleased  her,  though  In 
the  back  of  her  mind  she  still  wondered  a  little  at 
her  being  there. 

"  The  young  Heer  Stuyvesant  has  come  In,"  An- 
netje announced,  going  straight  to  the  point  of  her 
errand.  "  He  Is  both  wet  and  dirty  and  needs  atten- 
tion, else  will  he  have  a  chill.  I  can  prepare  a  draft 
with  bark,  of  the  kind  Vrouw  Pelgrom  gives  In  such 
cases.  If  you  will  tell  me  where  I  may  find  the  needed 
drugs." 

'*  Good    lack  I"    exclaimed    Mevrouw    Varleth, 


The  Great  Director  General  89 

"  the  boy  is  indeed  like  to  be  111.  He  should  have 
some  dry  clothes  and  a  posset.  His  cousin's  suits 
will  serve  well  enough  —  but  the  physic !  —  I  can- 
not leave  here  now. —  Art  sure  thou  canst  see  to  it, 
child?" 

Whether  unconsciously  or  no,  Mevrouw  Varleth 
had  addressed  Annetje  as  she  might  have  one  of  her 
own  children  and  for  an  instant  they  looked  at  one 
another,  the  girl  wondering  if  it  were  but  a  slip  of 
the  tongue  and  the  woman  quick  to  note  the  impres- 
sion her  words  had  made. 

"  I  think  your  High  Mightiness  may  trust  me," 
answered  xA.nnetje  formally. 

"  Indeed  I  think  I  may,"  returned  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth, and  forthwith  handed  Annetje  the  bundle  of 
keys  hanging  at  her  girdle,  telling  her  where  the 
medicines  might  be  found.  "  I  leave  the  young 
Heer  Balthazar  In  thy  hands,"  she  ended.  And 
this  time  there  was  no  doubt  of  her  Intention.  An- 
netje, with  an  appreciative  smile  at  the  compliment, 
ran  off,  fully  determined  to  deserve  the  great  lady's 
favour,  and  the  dose  she  prepared  lacked  not  a  full 
measure  of  the  bitter  elements  It  required  through 
any  sympathy  for  him  who  had  to  drink  It. 

"  Mevrouw  Varleth  orders  you  to  take  this  at 
once,"  she  announced  grimly,  handing  Balthazar  the 
brimming  cup.  He  took  It  with  a  wry  face  and  a 
shudder  of  his  broad  shoulders. 

"  Nay,  I  do  not  need  the  horrid  stuff,"  he  pro- 
tested.    "  I  am  as  well  as  ever  I  was." 

"  Mevrouw  Varleth  trusts  me  to  see  that  you  take 
It  down,"  Annetje  answered.  "  Well  I  know  that 
It  Is  bitter, —  but  'twill  not  help  to  sip  It, —  nor  will 
you  get  off  by  spilling  It  In  the  ashes !  That  would 
only  force  me  to  mix  more,  for  I  mean  to  watch  till 
It  Is  gone."     She   spoke  In   all  seriousness,   but  It 


90  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

sounded  so  much  as  if  she  were  addressing  a  small 
child,  that  they  both  laughed. 

"  Have  you  a  cardamon  seed  in  your  pocket  to 
take  away  the  taste?"  he  asked.  "That's  what 
they  give  to  good  little  boys  who  take  their  medi- 
cine." 

"  I  looked  but  could  find  none,"  Annetje  replied 
saucily.  "  Shall  I  go  to  your  aunt  and  ask  her 
where  they  are  kept?  " 

"  Nay,"  cried  Balthazar,  and  rising,  drank  the 
draft  with  a  gulp.  ''  Ugh!  Now  I  hope  you  are 
satisfied!"  he  exclaimed,  handing  back  the  empty 
cup. 

"  Not  yet,"  Annetje  answered  relentlessly.  *'  You 
are  to  put  on  a  dry  suit  of  your  cousin's  clothes." 

*'  I  shall  make  a  figure  fit  to  scare  the  crows  in 
Peter's  clothes,"  he  protested.  "  Indeed  'tis  not 
necessary.     I  am  steaming  finely  here." 

*'  Nevertheless  you  must  don  them  at  once,"  An- 
netje insisted.  "  It  seems  a  pity  to  disturb  your 
aunt  further,  but  unless  you  go  I  must  speak 
to  her,"  and  she  made  as  if  to  start  for  the  other 
room. 

"Stop!"  Balthazar  cried.  "One  tyrant  is 
enough.  I  will  go  at  once  ere  a  worse  thing  befall 
me,"  and  swinging  on  his  heel  he  quitted  the  kitchen. 
Annetje  looked  after  him,  wondering  for  a  moment 
if  perchance  he  was  offended;  but  she  had  no  time 
to  let  her  thoughts  dwell  upon  Master  Balthazar 
and,  filling  her  tray,  she  marched  back  to  the  voor- 
huys. 

She  was  a  little  surprised  to  find  that  the  com- 
pany had  changed  somewhat  since  she  had  last  been 
there.  Mevrouw  Varleth's  friends  had  replaced  the 
guests  of  lower  degree,  and  there  was  a  deal  of  chat- 
ter   and    light    laughter.     Annetje    paused    at    the 


The  Great  Director  General  91 

threshold  a  little  embarrassed  for  the  moment,  and 
as  she  stood  she  heard  the  hostess  speaking. 

*'  I  have  no  complaint  against  Providence,"  the 
lady  was  saying,  "  but  to  my  thinking  'twas  Bal- 
thazar saved  my  roof.  You  may  well  be  proud  of 
your  boy,  Peter." 

Annetje,  with  a  start,  glanced  toward  the  fireplace 
and  there,  with  his  back  to  the  fire,  stood  the  Gov- 
ernor, Peter  Stuyvesant  himself.  He  was,  of  course, 
no  new  sight  to  her.  Any  day  she  might  see  him  in 
the  streets,  stumping  about  looking  after  his  city. 
She  had  watched  him  many  a  Sunday  at  the  head  of 
the  city  fathers  on  his  way  to  church,  escorted  by 
two  halberdiers  and  attended  by  the  bellringer  bear- 
ing cushions  of  state.  But  here  he  was  in  the  same 
room  with  her,  divested  of  all  the  pomp  and  cere- 
mony of  office,  and  she  looked  at  him,  wondering 
for  the  first  time  what  manner  of  man  he  might  be 
in  his  own  family. 

Clad  in  slashed  velvet  with  puffed  white  under- 
sleeves  and  drooping  collar,  he  stood  on  the  hearth 
warming  his  back.  His  hair  was  well  pomaded,  his 
face  clean  shaven,  and  every  band  on  his  silver- 
mounted  leg  was  polished  till  it  shone.  He  was  an 
old  man  of  seventy-one,  but  there  was  no  hint  of 
age  in  his  firm  figure  and  upright  bearing. 

"  I  have  no  quarrel  with  my  boy,"  he  said  In 
answer  to  Mevrouw  Varleth's  remark.  *'  To  be 
sure  he's  a  trifle  headstrong — " 

"  As  becomes  the  son  of  '  Hard-koppig  Piet,'  " 
Mevrouw  threw  in  with  a  laugh. 

"  My  quarrel  upon  this  occasion  is  with  my  sis- 
ter," the  Governor  went  on,  as  if  she  had  not  spoken. 
"  I  like  not  to  have  a  complaint  against  her  entered 
by  the  fire  wardens." 

**  Nay,  thou  needst  not  fear,"  Mevrouw  Varleth 


92  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

answered.  "  Although  I  have  a  good  defence,  in 
that  I  waited  to  have  the  steps  within  the  chimney 
mended  lest  the  sweep  break  his  neck,  I  shall  advise 
Nicholas  to  pay  the  fine  ere  the  wardens  have  time  to 
fix  their  penalty.  Thou  mayest  take  the  frown  from 
off  thy  brow,  Peter,  if  that  is  all  that  gives  thee  such 
concern.  'Tis  scarce  the  way  to  look  at  thy  sister 
who,  after  all,  has  not  destroyed  thy  town  by  her 
dilatory,  unhousewifely,  sooty  ways." 

His  High  Mightiness  was  forced  to  smile  at  this, 
for  even  among  the  Dutch  ladies  Mevrouw  Varleth 
was  counted  a  notable  housewife. 

*'  To  confess  a  fault  and  take  punishment  Is  not  so 
good  as  never  to  have  committed  it,"  he  answered,  a 
trifle  grudgingly,  "  but  I  am  relieved  that  you  have 
suffered  no  great  loss.  And  so  will  Judith  be. 
'Twas  she  dispatched  me  here." 

'*  'Twas  thoughtful  of  her,"  M^evrouw  Varleth 
answered,  turning  toward  the  table.  "  But  'tis  Bal- 
thazar I  have  most  to  thank,"  and  catching  sight  of 
Annetje  in  the  doorway,  she  smiled  and  motioned  her 
in.  ''  And  here  is  the  maid  who  has  been  dosing  thy 
son  against  a  chill.  Did  he  take  the  potion,  child?  " 
she  ended,  speaking  to  Annetje. 

**  After  some  slight  urging,  your  Mightiness,"  An- 
netje informed  her. 

*' And  where  is  he  now?"  asked  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth. 

*'  He  has  gone  to  change  his  clothes,"  the  girl  re- 
plied, setting  down  her  tray.  *'  I  think  he  will  be 
none  the  worse  for  his  wetting." 

*'  Where  did  you  learn  your  doctoring,  young 
maid?  "  asked  the  Governor,  from  the  hearth. 

Annetje  turned  and  faced  him,  so  that  for  the  first 
time  he  had  a  fair  look  at  her. 

"  Vrouw   Pelgrom    has    taught   me,    your   High 


The  Great  Director  General  93 

Mightiness,"  she  responded,  with  a  Httle  curtsey. 

"  So,"  said  Stuyvesant,  nodding  his  great  head  as 
he  looked  at  her  closely.  "  You  are  the  child  Virr- 
hage  brought  down  from  the  north.  Humm!  I 
saw  you  the  other  day  at  the  wall?  " 

"  Yes,  your  High  Mightiness." 

"  There  was  a  savage  with  you,"  the  Governor 
went  on,  bending  a  stern  look  on  her.  "  How  comes 
it  that  you  walk  abroad  with  redskins?  " 

"  Your  High  Mightiness,"  Annetje  rejoined, 
"  ever  since  1  have  been  here  the  Indians  have 
guarded  me.  I  know  not  why,  nor  can  I  learn, 
though  I  have  asked  many  times,  yet  there  is  one 
always  near  me  when  I  am  out." 

"'  And  do  you  talk  their  language?  "  the  Governor 
questioned,  plainly  interested  In  what  the  girl  told 
him. 

**  Aye,  I  still  remember  what  I  learned  when  I 
lived  among  them,"  Annetje  returned. 

"  Humm!  "  muttered  the  Governor,  but  this  time 
he  was  musing  within  himself  and  seemed  to  have 
forgotten  his  surroundings. 

*'  I  think  there  will  be  no  further  need  of  us," 
Annetje  said,  taking  this  as  a  dismissal  and  turning 
to  Mevrouw  Varleth.  "  Madaleen  and  I  will  go 
now,  if  It  is  your  pleasure." 

''  Then  Madaleen  Is  not  your  sister?  "  Mevrouw 
Varleth  asked,  with  a  kindly  smile. 

"  Oh,  no,"  Annetje  answered. 

*'  In  that  case  some  one  should  go  with  you,"  the 
lady  suggested.  *'  I  like  not  that  you  girls  should 
be  abroad  so  late." 

*'  Nay,  there  is  no  need  to  worry  on  that  account," 
Annetje  told  her.  "  Madaleen  lives  near  us  and 
NIckje  win  be  waiting  for  us  without.  I  shall  be 
quite  safe  with  him." 


94  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

Thinking  Nickje  was  a  lad,  Mevrouw  Varleth 
made  no  further  objection,  and  the  two  girls  made 
ready  to  depart.  Their  hostess,  with  an  interest  in 
Annetje  she  herself  could  not  quite  account  for,  ac- 
companied them  to  the  door,  where  thanks  were 
given  and  good-nights  said. 

As  they  stepped  down  from  the  stoep  the  voice 
of  Balthazar  came  to  them  from  Inside  the  house. 

"  Aunt  Anna,"  he  called.  *'  Know  you  where  the 
maid  is  who  gave  me  that  most  bitter  draft?  " 

With  a  low  laugh  Annetje  seized  Madaleen  by  the 
arm  and  ran  with  her  into  the  darkness. 


CHAPTER  XI 

A   GUIDE   TO   THE   NORTH 

ONCE  outside  the  range  of  light  from  the 
houses  Nickje  joined  the  girls  as  Annetje  ex- 
pected. He  always  waited  thus  for  her,  be- 
ing not  overfond  of  strangers  and  preferring  to  stay 
out  of  sight  when  he  accompanied  her  upon  her  er- 
rands. Madaleen  gave  a  little  cry  of  fright  when 
he  appeared  suddenly  from  beneath  a  bush  by  the 
roadside,  but  was  reassured  on  recognizing  the 
racoon. 

*'  That  animal  is  indeed  thy  familiar  spirit,  An- 
netje," she  exclaimed,  but  at  once  went  on  with  her 
excited  talk  of  the  events  of  that  evening.  To 
Annetje  her  experiences  in  the  house  of  Mevrouw 
Varleth  were  a  matter  for  much  thought  and  she  was 
inclined  to  be  more  than  usually  silent.  Madaleen, 
busy  chattering,  heeded  not  the  fact  that  she  herself 
was  doing  all  the  talking.  To  both  of  them  the 
evening  would  remain  an  event  in  their  lives  and  they 
lived  it  over,  each  in  her  own  way,  strolling  none  too 
fast  in  the  bright  moonlight. 

"  But  did  it  not  seem  strange  to  thee,  Annetje," 
Madaleen  remarked,  as  they  neared  her  home,  '*  that 
the  young  Heer  Stuyvesant  should  have  picked  thee 
out  of  all  the  people  there?  " 

**  'Twas  because  he  saw  us  first,"  Annetje  an- 
swered shortly. 

*'  Nay,  'twas  naught  of  the  kind,"  Madaleen  in- 
sisted.    *'  'Twas  thee  he  wanted.     I  saw  his  face 

95 


96  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

change  when  he  caught  sight  of  thee.  Had  I  been 
with  Grietje  Olpherts,  I  vow  he  would  never  have 
asked  us  into  the  house.  'Tis  a  most  romantical 
situation,"  she  ended  gleefully. 

"  Be  not  a  ninny!  "  Annetje  retorted,  angered  at 
the  suggestion.  "  An  thou  take  that  notion  into  thy 
head  there'll  be  a  clack  of  senseless  gossip." 

"  Thou  needst  not  fear  that  I  shall  tell,"  Mada- 
leen  interrupted.     "  I'll  keep  thy  secret  safe." 

"  There  is  no  secret,"  Annetje  insisted  positively. 
"  Till  tonight  I  have  ne'er  spoken  a  word  to  the 
young  Heer  Stuyvesant." 

"  Aye,  that  I  believe,"  Madaleen  replied,  "  but 
wilt  thou  be  able  to  say  as  much  a  week  hence  ?  Not 
If  the  Heer  Balthazar  is  the  youth  I  take  him  for, 
Juffer  Annetje!  And  though  I  pledge  thee  not  to 
tell,  I  warn  thee  I  shall  watch."  She  laughed  mer- 
rily and  ere  Annetje  could  reply,  they  were  In  sight 
of  the  checkered  brick  gable-end  of  the  Wittsen 
house  and  Madaleen's  mother  was  hailing  them 
from  the  stoep. 

"  Is  It  thee  at  last?  "  she  called  to  her  daughter. 
*'  Had  I  asked  thee  to  mind  the  baby  till  this  hour 
thou  wouldst  have  thought  thyself  fit  for  the  grave." 

"  Nay,  be  not  cross,  moeder,"  Madaleen  called 
back.  "  I  have  that  to  tell  thee  thou  wilt  scarce 
believe.  Good-night,  thou  sly  Annetje,"  and  ran 
into  the  house. 

Annetje  moved  on  at  a  faster  pace  toward  her  own 
home.  Madaleen's  hints  had  annoyed  her  for  the 
moment,  but  she  soon  dismissed  the  subject  from  her 
mind. 

"  If  she  will  only  be  content  to  tease  me  and  not 
gossip  to  others,  I  shall  be  satisfied,"  the  girl  thought 
to  herself,  and  straightway  increased  her  pace,  anx- 
ious to  tell  Vrouw  Pelgrom  of  her  experiences,  for 


A  Guide  to  the  North  97 

she  was  sure  the  good  dame  would  be  vastly  pleased 
that  she  had  dosed  the  Governor's  son,  and  took  a 
proper  pride  in  the  fact  that  she  had  remembered 
how  the  draft  should  be  brewed. 

"  If  indeed  the  virtue  of  it  hes  in  its  bitterness," 
she  thought,  "  then  do  I  know  that  he  will  take  no 
hurt."  She  smiled  to  herself,  remembering  the  wry 
face  Balthazar  had  made  when  he  swallowed  the 
medicine. 

As  she  turned  into  the  Marckvelt  Steegie,  An- 
netje  noticed  a  pierced  lanthorn  swinging  along 
ahead  of  her,  and  this  set  her  to  wondering.  The 
thrifty  Dutch  were  little  like  to  waste  candles  on  a 
moonlight  night  and  the  girl  marked  the  bearer  as 
a  stranger. 

'*  'Tis  that  pesky  pedlar,"  she  said  to  herself,  and 
softly  called  to  Nickje. 

For  a  moment  she  hesitated,  then  went  resolutely 
on.  She  had  but  a  step  to  go  and,  when  she  was  so 
minded,  she  could  travel  as  softly  as  any  Indian. 

The  lanthorn-bearer  was  in  no  haste  however. 
When  he  came  to  Vrouw  Pelgrom's  cottage  he 
placed  the  light  upon  a  post  and  leaned  lazily  against 
the  fence,  sniffing  the  aromatic  odours  distilled  by 
the  night  dews.  The  garden  was  full  of  herbs, 
balm,  basil,  rosemary,  holy  onions,  lavender,  sage, 
sweet  marjoram  and  many  others  grown  by  the  good 
dame  for  her  doctoring,  and  the  spicy  scent  of  the 
air  might  well  have  invited  a  passerby  to  linger. 

*'  I  could  stay  here  till  doomsday,"  the  pedlar  mur- 
mured softly,  "  but  I  think  she  will  scarce  be  so  long 
as  that,"  and  he  settled  himself  comfortably  to  wait. 

This  in  no  wise  pleased  Annetje,  but  there  was 
another  it  suited  still  less,  one  who  was  used  to  keep 
the  town  children  at  their  distance  by  many  a  cun- 
ning trick.     Suddenly  the  silence  of  the  night  was 


98  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

rent  by  a  loud  outcry  as  the  racoon,  slipping  close 
to  the  man,  nipped  his  ankles  and  was  gone. 

"  I'm  bitten!  "  shouted  the  pedlar,  and  seizing  the 
lanthorn  swung  it  right  and  left,  stooping  as  he  did 
so.  This  gave  Nickje  his  second  opportunity,  for  in- 
stinct telling  him  that  he  would  be  looked  for  on  the 
ground,  he  had  retreated  up  a  small  tree  from  which 
he  leaped  upon  the  pedlar's  back,  scratching  vigor- 
ously in  his  hair. 

The  young  man  might  well  be  pardoned  for  his 
fright  as  he  squirmed  and  twisted,  trying  vainly  to 
wrench  the  beast  off  his  shoulders  and  crying  out 
lustily  the  while  as  if  indeed  he  was  being  murdered. 
In  the  midst  of  this  racket  Annetje  ran  up  and  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  opened  the  window  of  her  chamber. 

*'  Is  it  thee,  Annetje  ?  "  she  called.  *'  What  is  this 
hullabaloo?" 

*'  'Tis  only  Nickje,"  Annetje  answered,  laughing  a 
little.     **  He  is  up  to  his  old  tricks." 

*'  Take  the  beast  away,"  begged  the  pedlar,  wav- 
ing his  arms  like  flails,  as  Nickje  worried  him. 

"  If  you  will  stand  still  a  moment  and  not  flap 
about  like  a  broken  windmill,  I  will  take  him  off," 
Annetje  told  him. 

"  Aye,  stand  still,  stupid  I  "  cried  Dame  Pelgrom 
from  the  window.  "  You're  in  no  danger.  Stop 
your  bellowing  I  One  would  think  that  murder  were 
being  done.  Our  Nickje  ne'er  harmed  any  one  in 
his  Hfe." 

Thus  urged,  the  pedlar  stood  still  long  enough  for 
Annetje  to  seize  her  pet,  who  cuddled  in  her  arms, 
eyeing  the  stranger  as  if  daring  him  to  touch  her. 

"  Faith,"  grumbled  the  man,  *'  if  the  beast  never 
did  harm  before  he  has  well-nigh  flayed  me  this 
night." 

**  You  have  no  one  to  blame  but  yourself,"  An- 


A  Guide  to  the  North  99 

netje  retorted.  "  'Tis  unlawful  to  loiter  before  an- 
other's door  at  such  an  hour." 

''  Aye,  and  had  the  Wacht  caught  you,"  cried 
Vrouw  Pelgrom,  knowing  not  that  the  man  was  her 
good  customer,  "  fined  you  would  have  been  to  the 
tune  of  twenty  guilders  for  brawling  in  the  streets. 
Come  in,  Annetje,  and  let  the  man  go  his  ways.  I 
shall  lay  no  information  this  time,  but  he  must  see 
to  it  that  it  occurs  not  again." 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  slammed  her  casement  and  An- 
netje stepped  into  the  garden,  latching  the  gate  be- 
hind her.  She  realized  that  this  adventure  might 
injure  Vrouw  Pelgrom's  trade,  and  though  she  would 
have  preferred  to  quit  the  scene  then  and  there,  she 
waited  a  moment,  meaning  to  placate  the  man  a  little 
lest  his  anger  cause  him  to  withdraw  his  order.  But 
much  to  her  surprise  she  discovered  him  to  be  laugh- 
ing to  himself  as  if  at  some  huge  joke. 

"What  is  it?"  she  asked,  astonished  at  his  hu- 
mour. 

"  Egad !  "  he  cried.  "  When  next  I  hear  one  say, 
*  This  beats  the  Dutch,'  I'll  tell  them  their  mistake. 
Naught  beats  the  Dutch!  Naught  can!  Here  am 
I  scratched  and  bleeding,  my  ankles  bitten,  a  new 
calico  shirt  ruined,  and  I  am  told  that  if  I  but  go  my 
way  and  be  a  good  boy  I  shall  not  be  jailed.  Ho, 
ho  !     Naught  can  beat  the  Dutch  !  " 

"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  knew  not  to  whom  she  spoke,'' 
Annetje  assured  him,  the  man's  good-nature  setting 
her  to  wonder  if  perhaps  she  had  not  misjudged  him 
in  the  past. 

"  But  you  knew  who  it  was,"  he  said  with  a  laugh. 
*'  Faith  I  never  saw  a  maid  so  well  guarded.  Nor 
one  who  needed  it  less  from  me,"  he  ended,  with  a 
polite  bow. 

"  I'm  sorry  if  you've  been  hurt,"  Annetje  said, 


lOo  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

disarmed  by  his  lack  of  resentment  at  the  treatment 
he  had  just  received. 

*'  Nay,  I  was  more  frighted  than  hurt,"  he  con- 
fessed readily.  ^'  And  perchance  I  deserved  It,  see- 
ing that  I  was  waiting  for  you  when  you  showed  me 
plain  enough  that  you  wished  not  to  speak  with  me. 
I  seem  to  be  unfortunate,"  he  went  on  earnestly, 
"  in  my  efforts  to  gain  your  confidence.  Perhaps  I 
have  been  clumsy  and  persistent,  but  it  has  not  been 
my  intention  to  annoy  you  In  any  way.  Indeed,  I 
hope  some  day  to  be  of  service  to  you  and  In  the 
meantime  I  would  have  you  believe  that  I  am  your 
friend." 

He  spoke  gently  now,  and  in  his  manner  there 
was  every  evidence  that  he  meant  what  he  said. 
Save  for  the  persistence  which  he  admitted,  Annetje 
could  recall  naught  in  his  treatment  of  her  to  find 
fault  with,  and  she  was  ready  to  blame  herself  for 
a  certain  suspicion  of  him  which  had  no  reasonable 
basis.  His  talking  of  her  with  Grietje  Olpherts  was 
the  thing  she  had  most  resented  and  the  special 
knowledge  of  her  that  he  later  hinted  at  would  seem 
to  give  him  some  right  to  make  inquiries  as  to  her 
whereabouts. 

"  Perhaps  Fve  been  a  little  —  a  little  hasty,"  she 
confessed  with  an  embarrassed  laugh.  ''  As  to  be- 
ing friends  —  I  hardly  know  you  as  yet  —  and  I 
must  go  in." 

"  Just  a  moment,  please,"  he  begged.  *'  I  mean 
not  to  Insist  unduly,  but  when  I  spoke  to  you  tonight 
it  was,  as  I  said,  because  you  could  do  me  a  rare 
service  an  you  would." 

"  Can  it  not  wait  till  morning?  "  Annetje  asked. 

*'  Only  if  it  must,"  the  young  man  replied.  *'  I 
hope  to  be  on  my  way  at  dawn.  All  I  wanted  was 
to  ask  for  one  of  your  friendly  Indians  to  be  my 


A  Guide  to  the  North  loi 

guide  upon  a  journey  north.  I'm  little  used  to  travel 
in  the  wilderness  and  should  I  go  with  an  escort  of 
your  choosing  I  would  count  myself  more  than  for- 
tunate. Nor  would  it  be  a  bad  thing  for  the  Indian. 
I  have  the  wherewithal  to  pay  my  way  and  I  doubt 
not  one  of  your  savage  friends  would  be  glad  to  turn 
an  honest  penny." 

"  But  why  do  you  come  to  me?  "  Annetje  asked, 
a  little  puzzled.  "  There  are  many  Indians  about 
the  town  who  are  looking  for  just  such  business." 

"  I  come  to  you  because  I  have  no  wish  to  noise 
abroad  the  fact  that  I  am  going  north,"  the  man 
answered  frankly.  "  Should  I  make  inquiries  for  a 
guide  it  would  soon  be  known  throughout  the  city 
and  I  have  good  reason  to  keep  the  matter  secret, 
which  some  day  you  shall  learn." 

"  I  know  not  whether  any  of  the  tribe  Is  at  hand," 
Annetje  replied,  half  Inclined  to  meet  the  man's 
wishes.  She  could  see  no  good  reason  why  she 
should  refuse  his  request  and,  as  he  truly  said,  the 
Indians  were  always  glad  of  a  chance  to  earn  a  trifle 
toward  the  gun  all  of  them  hoped  some  day  to  own. 

''  I  think  that  if  you  will  clap  your  hands  again 
as  you  did  by  the  brook,  we  shall  find  that  one  of 
your  friends  Is  near,"  the  pedlar  suggested.  "  I 
have  had  the  feeling  of  a  presence  near  me  for  some 
time.  Perhaps  I  am  mistaken,  for  I  confess  to 
neither  having  seen  any  one  nor  heard  the  slightest 
sound." 

"  Let  us  find  out,"  said  Annetje,  coming  to  a  sud- 
den decision  in  the  matter,  and  she  clapped  her  hands 
softly. 

Ere  the  echo  had  died  away  a  tall  form  slipped 
Into  the  light  of  the  lanthorn  and  stopped  beside  her. 

"  I  told  you  so,"  said  the  pedlar,  "  but  it  makes 
me  shiver  a  bit  all  the  same." 


102  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

The  Indian  gave  no  greeting,  standing  silent  and 
aloof  waiting  for  Annetje  to  speak.  She  looked  at 
him  a  moment,  half  surprised,  for  although  she  had 
never  called  in  vain,  she  had  never  ceased  to  wonder 
at  it. 

"  O  brother,"  she  began,  speaking  to  the  Indian, 
"  this  paleface  would  go  upon  a  journey  to  the  north. 
He  asks  for  one  of  the  tribe  for  a  guide.  Can  you 
show  him  the  way?  " 

"  Is  it  the  wish  of  my  white  sister  that  one  of  us 
go  with  the  paleface?  "  the  Indian  asked  stohdly. 

*'  It  is  my  wish." 

*'  It  is  well,"  the  Indian  replied.  "  When  does 
the  paleface  start  upon  his  journey?  " 

*'  On  the  morrow  at  dawn,  my  brother." 

*'  Tell  him,  O  White  Blossom,  that  I  or  another 
will  be  there  to  lead  him,"  the  Indian  said,  and 
vanished  as  he  had  come. 

*'  What  said  he?  "  asked  the  pedlar. 

"  That  he  would  await  you  at  dawn,"  Annetje 
told  him. 

*'  I  can't  thank  you  enough,"  the  pedlar  said,  with 
all  sincerity.  "  You  have  made  me  your  debtor  and 
I  shall  not  forget  it." 

"  'Tis  naught,"  Annetje  replied,  turning  to  go; 
'*  good-night." 

*'  You  do  not  know  how  much  it  Is,"  he  told  her, 
"  but  I  shall  not  keep  you  longer.  Good-night,"  and 
he  too  left  her. 

Annetje  walked  slowly  up  the  path  to  the  cottage. 
She  could  think  of  no  reason  for  it,  yet  the  old 
suspicion  of  the  man  returned  to  her  of  a  sudden  and 
she  looked  after  him,  a  little  troubled  In  her  mind. 

"  I  wonder  If  I  did  well,  after  all,"  she  half  mur- 
mured to  herself;  then,  with  a  perplexed  shake  of 
her  head,  she  walked  quickly  into  the  house. 


CHAPTER  XII 

THE   MAKING   OF   A   LADY 

VROUW  PELGROM  was  on  her  way  to  the 
door  as  Annetje  opened  it  to  go  into  the  house 
with  Nickje  in  her  arms. 

"  I  was  coming  to  call  thee  again,"  the  dame  cried 
angrily.  "  Hast  thou  been  gossiping  with  that 
noisy  wastrel  ever  since  I  told  thee  to  come  in?  " 

"  He  was  no  wastrel,  but  thy  good  customer,  the 
young  pedlar,"  Annetje  answered,  in  no  wise  dis- 
turbed. 

"  Was  he  so !  "  exclaimed  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  plainly 
chagrined  at  this  information. 

"  Aye,  and  since  thou  wert  at  pains  to  call  him 
'  stupid,'  I  could  do  no  less  than  make  the  peace," 
the  girl  replied  evenly,  as  she  dropped  the  racoon  on 
the  hearth. 

"  Thou  didst  well,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  admitted 
grudgingly,  "  but  that  does  not  excuse  thee  for  stay- 
ing so  long  abroad,  knowing  well  that  I  was  most 
anxious  for  news  of  the  fire.  I  doubt  not  thou  wert 
chit-chatting  with  — " 

''  With  his  High  Mightiness  the  Director  Gen- 
eral! "  Annetje  interrupted,  with  a  toss  of  her  head. 

"Art  daft,  child?"  demanded  Vrouw  Pelgrom. 
"  What  mean  you?  " 

"  Naught,  but  that  Governor  Stuyvesant  and  I 
stopped  to  gossip  for  a  while,"  the  girl  announced 
with  pretended  indifference.  She  felt  that  in  all 
fairness  she  was  entitled  to  quizz  the  good  dame 
a  little  as  recompense  for  a  false  accusation  of  loiter- 

103 


104  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

ing.     '*  We  spoke  somewhat  of  thee,"  she  added 
for  good  measure,  to  stimulate  the  dame's  curiosity. 

''  Nay,  now  I  know  that  something  has  happened 
to  thee,  Annetje,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  exclaimed,  much 
concerned,  and  putting  a  hand  upon  the  girl's  brow 
to  note  if  it  were  feverish.  "  Hast  thou  had  a  fall 
and  dented  thy  skull  by  any  chance?  " 

So  serious  was  the  good  woman  and  so  much  con- 
cerned withal,  that  Annetje  could  not  bear  to  tease 
her  any  longer  and  burst  out  laughing. 

"  My  head  is  as  right  as  ever  it  was,  save  that  It 
is  full  of  news  for  thee,"  she  cried  gaily.  *'  Sit  thee 
down  and  I  will  tell  thee,  and  after.  If  I  have  not 
done  rightly,  then  mayest  thou  scold  to  thy  heart's 
content." 

"  Already  do  I  fear  that  I  have  been  unjust  to  thee 
In  my  thoughts,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  confessed,  as  she 
settled  in  her  great  chair,  "  but  truly  I  have  worried 
at  thy  absence,  plaguing  myself  with  thinking  an 
accident  had  befallen  thee." 

"  I  knew  thou  wast  like  to  fret  and  would  have 
come  to  thee  sooner  had  I  been  able,"  Annetje  said, 
repenting  of  her  levity  seeing  that  the  good  Vrouw's 
Irritation  had  been  born  of  anxiety.  "  But  here  Is 
the  story  and  thou  shalt  judge  for  thyself." 

Seated  at  Vrouw  Pelgrom's  feet,  she  recounted  all 
that  had  befallen,  telling  of  the  events  of  the  evening 
as  they  had  happened.  The  fat  dame  broke  in  now 
and  then  with  an  exclamation  of  astonishment  or  a 
word  of  praise  for  the  girl's  judgment,  particularly 
In  the  matter  of  the  draft  administered  to  young 
Balthazar. 

"  Surely  thou  didst  well,  Annetje !  "  she  exclaimed, 
with  pride.  *'  None  In  the  town  could  have  taught 
thee  better.  A  little  more  syrup  or  a  little  less  bark 
and  the  mixture  would  have  been  spoiled.     I  am  re- 


The  Making  of  a  Lady  105 

jolced  that  when  I  die  there  will  be  one  left  to  carry 
on  my  work." 

*'  I  took  great  pains,"  Annetje  assured  her. 
"  Even  thy  skilled  hand  could  not  have  made  it  more 
bitter.  Thou  shouldst  have  seen  the  young  Heer 
Stuyvesant's  face."  She  laughed  merrily  at  the  rec- 
ollection. 

There  followed  some  talk  over  what  the  Governor 
had  said  to  her. 

"  He  treats  all  the  town  as  he  might  a  great  family 
with  himself  at  the  head  of  it,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
remarked. 

"  As  If  they  were  rather  naughty  children  some- 
times," Annetje  agreed.  "  He  scolded  his  sister  for 
her  dirty  chimney." 

At  the  end  of  her  long  tale  the  girl  asked  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  If  perchance  she  had  erred  In  complying 
with  the  pedlar's  request  for  a  guide;  but  the  dame, 
although  curious  about  the  man's  mission  among  the 
Indians,  could  see  no  objection  to  obliging  him. 

"  'TIs  a  favour  for  which  he  will  repay  us  In  good 
time,"  she  said  complacently.  "  To  my  thinking  he 
is  a  youth  who  will  get  on  In  the  world,  though  what 
he  can  expect  to  gain  by  this  journey  up  the  great 
Mauritius  passes  my  comprehension.  Now  must  we 
to  bed,'*  she  went  on.  "  We  can  talk  of  thy  eve- 
ning's experience  tomorrow  while  we  work.  There 
Is  one  thing  only  I  do  not  quite  understand.  How 
came  It  that  the  young  Heer  Stuyvesant  picked  thee 
and  Madaleen  from  among  all  those  maids?  " 

She  expected  no  answer  to  her  question.  Rather 
was  she  thinking  out  loud  and  Annetje,  reminded  of 
Madaleen's  explanation,  held  her  tongue. 

For  a  minute  or  two  Vrouw  Pelgrom  stood  think- 
ing, then,  with  a  puzzled  shake  of  her  head,  she 
turned  slowly  and  waddled  off  to  her  own  room. 


io6  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  Good-night,  my  dear,"  she  called,  as  she  stopped 
at  the  threshold.  "  I  doubt  not  thou  wilt  be  dream- 
ing of  the  great  folk  thou  hast  been  with  this  even, 
but  let  not  thy  head  be  turned  because  the  Governor 
and  his  sister  have  seen  fit  to  notice  thee.  I  have 
found  that  those  in  high  places  have  short  memories. 
Good-night  again,  Annetje,"  and  she  closed  the  door 
behind  her. 

The  girl  tarried  not,  for  she  was  tired  and  looked 
for  a  busy  day  on  the  morrow;  but  as  she  slipped  into 
bed  the  cry  of  the  Wacht  sounded  plainly  through 
the  still  night  from  a  long  way  off.  "  'Tis  two 
o'clock  of  a  fine  gusty  morning." 

*'  Indeed,  it  is  late,"  Annetje  thought  as  she  closed 
her  eyes,  and  after  a  little  she  found  herself  laugh- 
ing softly  as  she  recollected  once  again  the  face  of 
Balthazar  Stuyvesant  when  he  had  taken  the  draft. 
The  last  thing  she  remembered  was  murmuring 
sleepily,  "  I  wonder  why  he  did  choose  Madaleen 
and  me  to  help  his  aunt?  " 

One  of  the  first  things  Vrouw  Pelgrom  did  the 
next  morning  was  to  send  Annetje  for  a  supply  of 
neat's  foot  oil,  and  while  the  girl  was  away  Mada- 
leen Wittsen  appeared  upon  the  threshold. 

"  Annetje  is  from  home,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  an- 
nounced crustily,  scarce  looking  up  from  her  work. 

"  Nay,  'tis  thee  I  came  to  see,  Vrouw  Pelgrom,'* 
Madaleen  giggled,  as  she  stepped  hesitatingly  into 
the  room. 

*'  To  see  me?  "  the  dame  exclaimed  in  surprise. 

*'  Aye,"  Madaleen  replied  eagerly.  "  Since  last 
night,  when  Annetje  and  I  went  among  the  great 
folks  at  Mevrouw  Varleth's,  moeder  is  bent  on 
making  a  lady  of  me.  Dost  think  that  possible, 
Vrouw  Pelgrom?" 


The  Making  of  a  Lady  107 

"  Such  things  have  happened,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
returned  cordially.  Her  manner  had  undergone  a 
distinct  change.  It  occurred  to  her  that,  from 
Madaleen,  she  might  hear  another  version  of  what 
had  transpired  on  the  previous  evening,  which  would 
shed  light  upon  certain  matters  that  perplexed  her. 
''  Come,  sit  down,  child,"  she  went  on,  with  an  in- 
viting smile.     "  What  are  thy  moeder's  plans?  " 

"  She  vows  my  hair  should  be  oiled  against  its 
falling,"  Madaleen  replied  with  a  blush  of  embar- 
rassment. ''  I  have  told  her  'twas  a  foolishness,  but 
she  sent  me  to  thee,  saying  that  it  should  be  done 
if  thou  wouldst  take  a  little  off  the  price  seeing  that 
^tis  somewhat  like  buying  a  pig  in  a  poke." 

"  Surely  to  have  thy  hair  greased  and  pomaded 
is  the  first  step  toward  being  a  lady,"  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom averred.  "  Nor  could  thy  moeder  have  sent 
thee  to  a  better  place  to  have  it  done.  As  to  the 
price,  thou  canst  rest  assured  I  shall  not  rob  thee. 
Place  thyself  in  this  chair,  child,  and  I  will  make 
thy  locks  lie  sleek  like  a  rat's  and  shine  so  brightly 
that  every  Juffcr  in  the  city  will  envy  thee.  Come, 
my  hands  itch  to  be  at  thy  head." 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  tied  a  huge  apron  about  Mada- 
leen's  neck,  covering  the  whole  of  her  frock  against 
spattering,  and  with  her  pots  on  the  table  near  at 
hand,  began  her  work  of  beautifying  by  combing  out 
the  girl's  blonde  tresses. 

''  Now  what  hast  thou  to  say  of  thy  adventure 
last  night?"  she  asked,  when  the  work  was  well 
started. 

''  Has  not  Annetje  told  thee?  "  questioned  Mada- 
leen excitedly.  "  Sure  I  have  thought  of  little  else 
and  dreamed  that  the  city  was  afire  and  his  High 
Mightiness  the  Governor  had  ordered  me  to  put  it 
out  with  a  cup  of  spiced  wine." 


io8  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  Didst  find  it  rich  inside  Mevrouw  Varleth's 
house?  "  queried  the  dame. 

''  Aye,  never  did  I  see  such  mirrors  or  such  an 
array  of  brass  and  pewters!  "  exclaimed  Madaleen. 
"  There  was  ne'er  a  piece  that  thou  couldst  not  see 
thy  face  in." 

"  That's  as  it  should  be,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  de- 
clared, nodding  her  head  approvingly.  ''  'Twill  be 
a  sad  day  for  Nieuw  Amsterdam  when  our  ladies 
take  up  with  the  slothful  ways  of  the  English." 

*'  Nay,  'tis  a  true  Dutch  household,"  Madaleen 
went  on.  *'  The  cloth  upon  the  table  was  of  fine 
Courtray  damask  and  had  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
four  napkins  to  match.  One  of  the  blacks  in  the 
kitchen  vowed  there  were  two  dozen  such  sets  in 
store.  Never  did  I  think  to  see  such  things.  Even 
now  I  can  scarce  believe  in  my  luck." 

"Was  it  all  luck?"  murmured  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
innocently. 

"  Nay,  I  do  not  think  it  was  — "  Madaleen  be- 
gan, and  then  halted,  much  embarrassed  of  a  sudden, 
only  to  cry  out  an  instant  later  with  pain.  "  Oh, 
Vrouw  Pelgrom,  thou  wilt  tear  out  my  hair  by  the 
roots!  " 

"  Hold  thy  head  still  then,"  commanded  the 
dame.  "  If  thou  wilt  throw  it  in  the  air  like  a 
spirited  horse  thou  must  expect  a  tug  or  two.  Now 
tell  me  why  thou  thinkest  'twas  not  good  fortune 
alone  took  thee  to  the  house  of  Mevrouw  Varleth." 

"  Has  not  Annetje  explained  to  thee  how  it  came 
about  that  we  went  in?  "  Madaleen  asked,  parrying 
one  question  with  another. 

"  She  said  something  of  the  young  Heer  Bal- 
thazar Stuyvesant  seeing  you  by  chance,"  replied 
Vrouw  Pelgrom.  "What  thinkest  thou?  Was  it 
by  chance?  " 


The  Making  of  a  Lady  109 

"Nay,  I  promised  Annetje  —  oh!  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom,  surely  I  moved  not  my  head  then!  "  Madaleen 
ended  with  a  little  shriek. 

"  So,  thou  hast  somewhat  to  conceal  from  me, 
child,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  cried  severely,  paying  no 
heed  to  the  girl's  protest.  "  Out  with  it,  or  thy 
head  shall  pay  the  penalty." 

"  Nay,  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  there  is  naught  indeed. 
Oh,  please  have  a  care,  else  shall  I  have  no  hair 
left."  Madaleen,  nigh  crying,  was  helpless  even 
to  put  up  her  hands,  held  beneath  the  heavy 
apron. 

"  Tell  thy  secret  then,"  the  dame  insisted  inex- 
orably. *'  My  hands  grow  clumsy  when  I  am 
thwarted." 

"  'Tis  really  no  secret,"  the  girl  faltered,  *'  only 
I  cannot  think  it  accident  that  brought  the  high-born 
gentleman  to  us.  That  is  all.  I  plagued  Annetje 
last  night,  saying  he  had  singled  us  out  among  all 
those  people,  and  she  was  angered;  but  indeed, 
Vrouw  Pelgrom,  'tis  true  he  did.  And  he  is  as 
pretty  a  young  man  as  ever  I  saw,  and  I  think  he 
must  be  greatly  taken  with  Annetje  to  show  her  such 
a  mark  of  favour." 

*'  Was  it  Annetje  put  that  crazy  notion  into  thy 
head?  "  demanded  the  dame. 

*'  Nay,"  answered  Madaleen,  quickly,  fearing 
from  the  tone  that  her  head  was  about  to  suffer  an- 
other grievous  pulling.  "  Annetje  was  cross  with 
me  for  saying  that  Balthazar  Stuyvesant  had  chosen 
her  out  of  a  set  purpose;  but  he  did  all  the  same, 
I  know  he  did." 

"Thou  art  a  silly,  romantical  chit!"  laughed 
Vrouv/  Pelgrom,  and  then,  with  a  sudden  menace  in 
her  voice,  while  the  comb  poised  threateningly,  "  I 
hope   thou   hast  regard  enough   for  Annetje,   who 


no  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

loves  thee,  not  to  tell  the  town  of  thy  foolish  imag- 
inings." 

"  In  truth  I  shall  say  naught,"  Madaleen  avowed 
earnestly.  "  I  promised  Annetje  I  would  not;  but 
thou  hast  forced  it  out  of  me  with  thy  cruel  comb." 

"  Beauty  costs  much  pain,  my  child,"  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom  remarked  sententiously.  "  Thou  art  mis- 
taken in  thinking  I  forced  it  out  of  thee.  If  thou  art 
to  become  a  lady  make  up  thy  mind  to  stand  a  pin- 
prick now  and  then." 

Having  gotten  what  she  wanted,  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
made  short  work  of  Madaleen's  hair  and  though,  at 
the  end,  the  girl  was  inclined  to  primp  before  the 
glass  in  admiration  of  her  well-oiled  locks,  the  dame 
sent  her  off  with  scant  ceremony. 

"  Thou  wilt  not  tell  Annetje?  "  begged  Madaleen 
at  the  threshold. 

^'  There  is  naught  to  tell  save  thy  foolish  chatter, 
and  that  I  have  forgot,"  replied  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
shortly. 

"  She'll  soon  learn  that  I  am  right,"  Madaleen 
said  to  herself  as  she  hurried  away,  and  in  the  cot- 
tage Vrouw  Pelgrom  muttered  under  her  breath, 
"  A  day  or  two  will  tell  whether  or  no  the  wind 
blows  from  that  quarter." 


CHAPTER  XIII 

DOCTOR   AND    PATIENT 

**T  STOPPED  at  the  house  of  Ulderick  Cleen 

I     to  get  thee  some  of  that  caffe,"  Annetje  an- 

-■-    nounced  upon  her  return. 

"And  did  he  have  it?"  the  dame  asked,  with 
much  interest. 

''  Aye,  and  I  bought  a  little  to  try,"  Annetje  re- 
plied. "  He  gave  me  directions  for  preparing  it, 
but  first  it  must  be  parched.  Heer  Cleen  says  it  has 
quite  displaced  beer  on  the  breakfast  tables  of  the 
rich  Baltimore  colonists." 

''  Mayhap  it  has,  for  fops  and  fine  ladies,"  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  said  scornfully.  "  For  my  part  I  shall 
stick  to  my  good  beer,  a  certain  amount  of  which 
I  deem  requisite  for  the  health.  Nevertheless,  'tis 
as  well  that  we  should  test  this  new  drink's  virtues. — 
Madaleen  was  in,"  she  added  casually. 

Annetje  looked  up  sharply  at  this  news;  but 
Vrouw  Pelgrom  was  busy,  her  eyes  lowered  over  her 
work,  and  gave  no  hint  that  aught  lay  behind  her 
words. 

"  She  came  to  gossip  of  last  night's  doings,  I 
doubt  not,"  Annetje  answered,  in  much  the  same 
tone  of  indifference  the  dame  had  used.  "  I'll  war- 
rant she  gave  thee  a  long  tale  of  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth's  fine  furnishings?  " 

"  Aye,  she  said  somewhat  of  it,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
replied.  "  It  seems  to  me  that  she  has  keener  eyes 
to  notice  things  than  thou." 

Ill 


112  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  I  can  tell  thee  of  the  East  India  cupboard  with 
the  silver  hinges,"  Annetje  responded,  a  little  net- 
tled at  this  suggestion  that  she  was  unobservant. 
"  'Twas  full  of  porcelalnes  and  China  nick-nacks  very 
pleasing  to  look  at,  but  a  great  trouble  to  care  for, 
I  should  think.  'TIs  needful  in  a  mansion  like  that 
to  have  a  houseful  of  servants.  The  windows  have 
as  many  sets  of  curtains  as  I  have  petticoats." 

"  'TIs  the  kitchen  I  would  like  to  see,"  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  remarked. 

"  'TIs  wonderfully  complete,"  Annetje  conceded. 
"  There  are  brass  and  copper  kettles  without  num- 
ber. Scales,  spits,  two  gridding-lrons  and  pewters 
to  the  tune  of  a  quarter  of  a  last;  beside  Delft  plat- 
ters and  dishes  of  other  wares  that  would,  I  think, 
come  nigh  to  filling  a  good-sized  ship." 

''  There  be  times,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  said  quite 
gravely,  "  when  I  fancy  it  might  be  most  agreeable 
to  be  rich,  though  I  greatly  fear  that  with  nothing 
to  do  I  would  grow  stout." 

*'  With  such  a  calamity  in  mind  let  us  envy  no 
one!"  Annetje  laughed  merrily.  *' But  in  truth, 
Vrouw  Pelgrom,  with  all  Mevrouw  Varleth's  great 
store  of  fittings,  her  kitchen  Is  not  half  so  homelike 
as  our  own.  I,  for  one,  would  not  exchange  with 
her." 

*'  Thou  art  not  like  to  be  asked,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
chuckled,  "  yet  'tis  a  gracious  thing  for  thee  to  say 
and  speaks  well  for  thy  good  sense.  But  hast  thou 
never  a  wish  to  be  a  lady?  When  I  was  young  and 
foolish  the  maids  prattled  of  naught  else  but  mating 
with  princes  and  such  like  nonsense." 

"  Oh,  they  have  not  stopped  doing  that,"  Annetje 
answered,  smiling  broadly.  "  Thou  shouldst  hear 
the  talk  on  the  Maagde  Paetje.  They  parcel  out 
the  gentility  among  themselves  with  rare  generosity. 


Doctor  and  Patient  113 

One  would  think  to  hear  them  that  there  was  naught 
else  in  their  minds  but  dreams  of  lovers  and  mar- 
riages and  such  like  silliness,  and,  when  I  laugh  at 
them,  they  could  not  be  more  angry  if  all  their  fool- 
ish chatter  were  solemn  fact." 

Once  more  that  morning  Vrouw  Pelgrom  had 
learned  something  she  wished  to  know,  and  she  was 
well  satisfied  with  this  last  bit  of  information. 
There  was  no  doubting  Annetje's  sincerity  upon  the 
sentiments  she  had  just  expressed,  and  the  fat  dame 
was  well  assured  that  the  girl  had  no  such  romantical 
notions  as  Madaleen  had  hinted  at. 

"  If  'twas  not  chance  brought  Balthazar  Stuyve- 
sant  to  her  side,  my  girl  at  least  has  had  no  hand 
in  it,"  she  thought  to  herself.  *'  That  chit  of  a 
Madaleen,"  she  went  on  musing,  "  has  set  me  to 
witless  imaginings.  'Tis  plain  there  was  naught  in 
the  affair  save  a  decent  courtesy,  and  I  would  do  well 
to  forget  that  I  gave  myself  up  to  such  fancies." 

And  at  that  moment  a  strong  figure  bounded  up 
the  stoep  and  doffed  his  hat  with  a  polite  little  bow. 

"  May  I  come  in  a  moment,  Vrouw  Pelgrom?  " 
he  asked,  with  a  winning  smile.  "  Seeing  that  I 
drank  the  bitterest  draft  ever  was  brewed,  I  can  do 
no  less  than  thank  the  doctor  who  gave  it  me." 

"  Pray  come  in,  your  High  Mightiness,"  replied 
Vrouw  Pelgrom,  striving  to  get  to  her  feet,  but  sadly 
flustered  between  her  fat  body  and  her  mighty  sur- 
prise at  the  young  man's  appearance. 

"Nay,  nay!"  he  cried  boyishly,  stepping  into 
the  room.  "  Keep  your  seat,  good  moeder,  and  let 
us  hear  no  more  of  High  Mightinesses.  I  am  plain 
Balthazar  Stuyvesant,  and  make  no  claim  to  titles. 
Good-morning,"  he  ended,  turning  to  Annetje. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you  well,"  Annetje  returned; 
while  Vrouw  Pelgrom  settled  herself  in  her  chair, 


114  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

gathering  her  wits,  lost  for  the  moment  at  the  sud- 
den entrance  of  this  Impetuous  youth. 

"  Had  I  a  sign  of  pain  or  ache  this  day  I  would 
have  lost  faith  In  all  drugs,"  he  answered.  "  At 
least  of  bitter  ones,"  and  he  twisted  his  face  at  the 
thought. 

"  Nay,  'twas  not  so  bad  as  that,"  Annetje  pro- 
tested. In  no  wise  embarrassed.  "  I  told  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  exactly  how  I  had  mixed  It  and  she  said 
'twas  right  to  the  last  drop." 

"  Aye,  and  so  It  was,"  the  dame  avowed.  "  'TIs 
a  searching  dose,  though  most  unsoothing  In  the  tak- 
ing. I  doubt  not  it  saved  the  young  master  a  chill 
and  fever." 

"  Then  am  I  the  more  beholden  to  you,"  Bal- 
thazar said,  addressing  Annetje.  "  At  any  rate  I 
felt  It  a  duty  to  report  myself  cured.  I  give  you  my 
best  thanks." 

''  Indeed  there  Is  naught  to  make  such  an  ado 
over,"  Annetje  replied. 

"  Is  there  not,  then,"  he  laughed.  "  Sure,  had 
you  taken  your  own  medicine,  I  doubt  if  you  would 
have  been  so  ready  to  forget  it.  But  In  truth  I  have 
a  real  grievance  In  that  you  waited  not  to  admire  me 
In  my  cousin  Peter's  best  suit." 

''  Nay,  I  had  finished  my  work  and  Mevrouw 
Varleth  needed  me  no  longer,"  said  Annetje. 

*'  And  had  you  no  curiosity  to  see  me  In  those  ill- 
fitting  garments?"  he  replied  banteringly.  "I 
looked  a  very  scarecrow  as  I  knew  I  should,  but  I 
dared  not  do  otherwise  than  obey  orders." 

"  I  hope  Mevrouw  Varleth  suffered  no  great  In- 
jury from  the  fire?  "  Vrouw  Pelgrom  put  in,  deem- 
ing It  wise  to  change  the  subject. 

*'  She  win  need  some  new  thatch  for  her  roof," 
Balthazar  answered,   "  but  there  is  no  great  loss, 


Doctor  and  Patient  iij 

though  the   upper   floor   was   like   to  be   flooded." 

They  talked  for  a  while  of  this  or  that,  the  young 
man  seeming  quite  at  home  in  Vrouw  Pelgrom's 
humble  kitchen  and  in  no  hurry  to  go  away.  An- 
netje  went  on  with  her  work  undeterred  by  his  pres- 
ence, and  the  fat  dame,  watching  her,  could  detect 
no  undue  interest  in  their  unexpected  visitor.  But 
Vrouw  Pelgrom  herself  was  by  no  means  at  her 
ease.  She  could  not  deny  that  the  young  Balthazar 
had  a  good  excuse  for  his  coming  to  their  cottage, 
and  it  might,  indeed,  be  naught  but  politeness  that 
had  brought  him  there.  There  was  nothing  in  his 
frank  and  boyish  manner  to  suggest  aught  else;  but 
in  this  very  frankness  the  dame  saw  a  danger  she 
would  like  to  avoid.  Moreover,  that  the  young  man 
was  attractive  in  all  ways,  she  could  not  but  admit. 
He  was  handsome,  strong  and  by  no  means  an  idler, 
as  the  town  well  knew;  but  the  Dutch  laws  required 
the  consent  of  the  man's  parents  as  well  as  the 
maid's,  and  Peter  Stuyvesant  was  the  last  man  in  the 
world  to  permit  his  son  to  marry  below  his  station; 
while  poor  Annetje  knew  not  even  who  her  parents 
were.  Even  as  the  goodwife  gossiped  lightly  with 
the  young  man,  her  thoughts  were  troubled  lest  the 
future  held  heart-aches  for  the  girl  she  loved. 

At  length  Balthazar  made  ready  to  depart. 

"  You  know,"  he  said  with  a  bright  smile,  "  I 
think  I  was  rather  clever  last  night.  It  was  in  my 
mind  to  wonder  how  I  could  get  to  know  Annetje, 
but  when  I  saw  her  at  the  fire  and  Aunt  Anna 
wanted  two  maids  to  help  her,  I  knew  my  chance 
had  come  and  seized  it."  He  ended  with  a  cheer- 
ful, open  laugh,  indeed  so  frank  was  he  that  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  looked  at  him  in  astonishment. 

"  But  why  should  you  wish  to  know  me?  "  asked 
Annetje,  with  equal  candour. 


Ii6  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  Because  I  have  heard  of  the  maid  Virrhage 
brought  from  the  north  ever  since  I  was  a  httle 
boy,"  he  rephed.  *'  And  some  day  I  want  you  to 
tell  me  of  your  life  in  the  woods.  You  won't  mind 
my  coming,  Vrouw  Pelgrom,"  he  went  on,  turning 
to  the  dame  and  seeming  to  take  it  wholly  for 
granted  that  he  was  welcome.  "  I'm  sure  we're 
going  to  be  friends.  At  least  I  want  to  be,"  he 
ended  with  his  first  hint  of  embarrassment. 

"  You  will  have  to  learn  to  take  your  medicine 
better  in  that  case,"  Annetje  returned  unabashed. 

"  Nay,  I'll  take  good  care  not  to  get  wet,"  he 
answered  grinning.  "  One  dose  will  last  a  long 
time.  Good-day,  Vrouw  Pelgrom.  Good-bye,  An- 
netje," he  called  and  with  a  jump  was  out  of  the 
door  and  down  the  stoep. 

Vrouw  Pelgrom's  deft  fingers  mixed  her  com- 
pounds mechanically  while  she  pondered. 

"  They  are  like  two  children,"  she  thought. 
I'  How  can  one  stop  them  without  putting  notions 
into  their  heads  that  otherwise  might  never  enter 
them?"^ 

"  He  is  a  nice  boy,  isn't  he?  "  Annetje  remarked, 
after  a  short  silence.  "  I  think  I  like  him,  and 
Madaleen  was  right  after  all.  You  know,  Vrouw 
Pelgrom,  she  said  he  had  picked  us  out  last  night, 
but  I  — "  She  stopped  suddenly  and  a  slight  blush 
mantled  her  cheek.  "  But  that's  just  silliness,"  she 
ended,  and  Vrouw  Pelgrom  saw  no  need  to  ask  an 
explanation  for  this  disjointed  remark. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

OLD   wives'    talk 

IN  the  days  that  followed,  Annetje  saw  more  of 
Balthazar  than  she  realized. 
"Good-day,  Juffer  Doctor!"  he  would  ex- 
claim as  they  met,  doffing  his  hat  and  never  failing 
to  remind  her  of  his  bitter  draft  as  if  that  con- 
stituted a  bond  of  friendship  between  them.  "  Your 
patient  is  still  well,  thanks  be." 

Annetje  would  reply  in  kind  and  he  would  step 
along  at  her  side  and  they  would  talk  as  if  they  had 
known  each  other  for  years.  Now  and  then  he 
would  accompany  her  to  the  cottage  to  have  a  ban- 
tering word  with  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  who  could  not 
but  respond  to  his  merry  ways.  She  confessed  to 
herself  that,  though  she  might  be  glad  if  he  never 
darkened  the  door  of  her  little  home  again,  she 
nevertheless  delighted  in  his  coming  and  found  her 
liking  for  him  growing  at  each  visit. 

Between  Annetje  and  young  Balthazar  there 
speedily  developed  a  common  interest  In  that  each 
had  more  than  a  usual  regard  for  the  Indians.  The 
girl  was  quick  to  learn  that  he  had  a  ready  sym- 
pathy for  the  wilden,  which  was  near  her  own  feel- 
ing, and  she  soon  found  her  tongue  loosened  as  it 
had  never  been  before,  even  with  Vrouw  Pelgrom. 
She  talked  unreservedly  of  what  she  remembered  of 
her  life  among  the  red  men  and  the  young  man 
showed  more  than  a  passing  curiosity. 

117 


ii8  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

*'  I  want  to  see  those  little  skin  suits  of  yours/' 
Balthazar  said  to  her  one  day,  and  she  brought  out 
her  treasures  for  his  inspection. 

At  first  she  said  naught  of  the  peculiar  design 
which  was  embroidered  upon  all  the  small  garments, 
hoping  that  he  might  discover  it  himself  and  so 
prove  that  its  significance  was  not  born  of  her  fancy; 
but  neither  he  nor  Vrouw  Pelgrom  noticed  the 
lozenge  shaped  figure  which  formed  but  a  part  of 
the  intricate  patterns  so  wonderfully  worked  on  the 
pliable  leather. 

''  Look  at  this,"  she  said  finally,  pointing  it  out 
to  them.  ''  Do  you  think  that  an  Indian  inven- 
tion?" 

At  first,  even  though  she  outlined  the  form  with 
her  finger,  neither  Vrouw  Pelgrom  nor  Balthazar 
could  see  aught;  but  suddenly,  as  one  discovers  the 
hidden  picture  in  a  puzzle,  they  too  discerned  it. 

*'  Nay,  now,  'tis  most  curious!  "  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
exclaimed,  taking  up  the  little  jacket  for  a  closer  in- 
spection. "  And  so  cleverly  hid  is  it  among  the 
coloured  beads  and  zeewant  that,  did  not  chance 
bring  it  to  the  eye,  the  device  might  lay  concealed  for 
all  time." 

**  I  cannot  believe  an  Indian  planned  it,"  Bal- 
thazar said  thoughtfully,  picking  up  one  garment 
after  another.  "  Yet  is  it  very  cunningly  contrived. 
It  must  be  a  label  the  wild  woman  happened  to  see 
among  some  settler's  goods  and  chose  to  mark  An- 
netje's  belongings.  Think  you  that  is  the  explana- 
tion, Vrouw  Pelgrom?" 

*'  Now  indeed  that  may  be  the  true  reading  of 
the  riddle,"  agreed  the  dame.  *'  Sure  am  I  that  it 
is  not  an  Indian  contrivance,  else  would  we  know  of 
similar  designs  on  other  of  their  handicraft.  'Tis 
most  curious,  yet  it  can  have  scant  significance,  see- 


Old  Wives'  Talk  119 

Ing  that  It  was  done  by  one  of  those  poor  heathen 
creatures/' 

There  the  matter  rested  for  the  time  being,  and 
Annetje,  who  had  hoped  that  In  it  she  might  find 
a  clue  to  her  Identity,  was  forced  to  conclude  that 
there  was  faint  encouragement  to  look  further  In 
that  direction. 

This  growing  friendship  between  the  Governor's 
son  and  Annetje  continued  to  be  a  source  of  much 
worry  to  the  good  dame  who  sought  about  in  her 
mind  for  a  speedy  way  to  end  it,  yet  found  It  not. 
The  matter  was  not  so  easy  as  might  appear;  and 
though  she  kept  Annetje  as  close  to  the  house  as 
she  could,  there  were  many  errands  no  one  else 
could  do  and,  so  sure  as  she  went  out,  she  brought 
back  the  tale  of  having  met  Balthazar. 

*'  The  boy  Is  his  father's  own  son,"  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom  said  to  herself  more  than  once  during  these 
days.  *'  When  he  sets  his  mind  upon  a  thing  he  is 
like  to  have  it." 

Now  It  happened  that  Vrouw  Pelgrom  was  not 
the  only  woman  In  Nieuw  Amsterdam  who  was  per- 
plexed over  this  matter,  so  one  morning,  a  fortnight 
after  the  fire,  the  good  dame,  noting  a  shadow  across 
the  doorway,  looked  up  to  see  Mevrouw  Varleth 
standing  on  the  threshold.  Annetje,  at  her  own 
table,  kept  her  eyes  upon  her  work,  thinking  it  to  be 
one  of  the  usual  customers  In  search  of  beautifying 
remedies. 

"  Good  day,  Vrouw  Pelgrom,"  was  Mevrouw 
Varleth's  greeting  as  she  stepped  into  the  room.  *'  I 
have  heard  such  excellent  reports  of  your  wares  that 
I  would  fain  Investigate  them  for  myself." 

It  was  pleasantly  said,  and  at  sound  of  her  voice 
Annetje  looked  up  and  caught  her  eye,  whereupon 
the  great  lady  gave  her  a  smile  of  recognition. 


120  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  How  do  you  do,  my  dear,"  she  went  on  as 
Annetje  curtsied,  and  then  to  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  "  I 
scarce  know  how  I  should  have  managed  without  her 
the  other  night.  She  is  most  neat-handed,  and  I 
hear  from  a  reliable  source  that  she  is  also  skilful 
at  mixing  medicines;  "  she  ended  with  a  laugh  and  a 
quick  glance  at  the  girl. 

Meanwhile  Vrouw  Pelgrom  had  struggled  to  her 
feet,  her  thoughts  driving  quickly  to  the  point  of  this 
unexpected  visit.  Mevrouw  Varleth  was  not  one  of 
those  who  sought  the  secrets  of  the  toilet,  and  the 
dame  guessed  rightly  that  there  was  more  at  stake 
than  any  Inspection  of  her  cosmetics. 

"  A  seat  for  her  Mightiness,  Annetje,"  she  said 
a  little  sharply,  but  Annetje  had  been  quick  to  set  a 
chair,  receiving  another  smile  for  reward. 

"  Thank  you,  my  dear,"  said  Mevrouw  Varleth, 
as  she  seated  herself,  and  then,  turning  to  Vrouw 
Pelgrom,  went  on  most  graciously.  "  It  Is  of  your 
perfumes  that  I  hear  the  most  praise.  My  sister- 
in-law,  the  Juffer  Sarah  Varleth,  tells  me  the  product 
of  your  still-room  surpasses  mine." 

"  Bring  me  a  flask  of  the  lavender  water,  An- 
netje," the  dame  ordered  shortly,  not  as  yet  inclined 
to  show  aught  but  a  business  front  to  these  plain 
advances.  She  knew  not  what  was  In  store,  but  she 
was  well  convinced  that  perfumes  were  no  more  the 
object  of  this  call  than  was  the  flattery  of  which 
she  grew  so  quickly  suspicious. 

Annetje  brought  the  flask  and  In  addition  placed 
a  damask  cloth  and  bowl  of  warm  water  ready  to 
the  lady's  hand,  then  stood  waiting  further  instruc- 
tions. 

"  I  think,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  spoke  to  the  girl, 
"  thou  hadst  best  take  NIckje  for  a  walk.  He  Is 
not   overfond  of  strangers,   nor   they  of  him.     It 


Old  Wives'  Talk  121 

might  be  as  well  to  go  to  the  Maagde  Paetje  and 
see  how  thy  flax  does." 

Annetje,  gathering  up  the  racoon  in  her  arms, 
made  a  curtsey  to  Mevrouw  Varleth  and  without 
a  word  quitted  the  cottage.  She  was  surprised  to 
see  her  a  visitor  there,  but  looked  not  further  for 
an  explanation  than  the  one  the  great  lady  herself 
had  given. 

Inside  Vrouw  Pelgrom  stood  grimly  waiting  till 
the  girl  had  left  the  room. 

"  Now,  your  Mightiness,  we  can  talk,"  she  said, 
abruptly.  ''  I  doubt  'tis  perfumes  you  came  to  dis- 
cuss." 

Mevrouw  Varleth  smiled  easily,  by  no  means  dis- 
concerted by  the  rather  forbidding  aspect  of  the 
fat  dame. 

"  Were  you  In  the  colony  of  Connecticut  I  vow 
you  would  be  prisoned  as  a  witch,  as  was  the  Juffer 
Judith  Varleth  last  year,"  she  remarked.  "  I  scarce 
think  the  reading  of  another's  mind  is  lawful." 
There  was  a  bright  twinkle  in  her  eye  as  she  spoke, 
and  her  voice  and  manner  were  so  pleasant  withal, 
that  Vrouw  Pelgrom  could  scarce  keep  up  her  for- 
bidding aspect. 

"  I  wager  your  Mightiness  is  nigh  to  reading  my 
mind  this  minute,"  she  said,  with  a  shake  of  her 
head.  *'  Though  I  dare  say  we  might  both  be  tested 
by  boiling  a  black  cock,  and  never  get  a  cry  out  of 
it  to  convict  us." 

*'  I  am  no  believer  in  witchcraft,"  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth answered  with  a  smile,  "  though  our  catechism 
teaches  It,  giving  chapter  and  verse  out  of  the  Holy 
Bible.  But  be  seated,  Vrouw  Pelgrom.  I  came  not 
to  talk  of  witches  and  the  like,  any  more  than  I 
did  of  perfumes." 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  seated  herself  In  her  great  chair, 


122  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

spread  her  apron  smooth  with  her  fat  hands  the 
while  she  looked  at  the  lady  opposite  her  inquiringly. 
For  a  moment  the  two  eyed  each  other  steadily. 

"  I  doubt  not,  Vrouw  Pelgrom,"  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth  began  at  length,  "  that  you  have  a  shrewd  no- 
tion of  why  I  am  here." 

""  I  await  your  Mightiness's  pleasure,"  the  dame 
returned,  by  no  means  ready  to  commit  herself, 
though  she  was  certain  she  had  correctly  gauged  the 
motives  of  the  lady  before  her. 

Again  there  was  silence,  for  a  time,  and  again 
Mevrouw  Varleth  broke  it. 

"  I  must  compliment  you  upon  the  way  you  have 
brought  up  Annetje,"  she  said  pleasantly.  *'  She 
has  most  excellent  manners  and  seems  well  taught 
concerning  housewifely  matters." 

"  Her  learning  stops  not  there,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
answered,  with  a  touch  of  pride  in  her  speech.  *'  No 
Juffer  in  the  province  has  been  better  educated  than 
Annetje.  'Twas  a  part  of  my  pact  when  I  under- 
took to  care  for  the  child.  I  have  fulfilled  it  as  I 
promised  his  High  Mightiness  the  Director  Gen- 
eral ten  years  ago." 

*'  'Tis  much  to  your  credit,  Vrouw  Pelgrom,"  the 
great  lady  answered  graciously.  "  I  noted,  when 
the  girl  was  in  my  house,  that  she  seemed  not  to 
belong  to  her  station  in  life." 

"  How  know  you  that?  "  the  goodwife  demanded, 
seemingly  a  little  nettled.  *'  She  may  be  the  daugh- 
ter of  a  rich  patroon." 

*'  Aye, —  or  of  a  wretched  tinker,"  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth replied  quietly.  *'  The  trouble  is  that  we  do  not 
know." 

*'  'Tis  there  is  the  crux  of  the  affair,"  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  admitted  reluctantly.  "  To  my  thinking 
the  child  is  of  gentle  birth.     That  belief  I  have  al- 


"A  seat   for  her  Mightiness" 


Old  Wives'  Talk  123 

ways  held,  but  until  today  it  has  been  hidden  in  my 
heart.  I  have  had  no  wish  to  foster  vain  desires 
that  may  never  be  fulfilled.  As  your  Mightiness 
knows  no  harm  can  ever  come  from  tumbling  up 
the  stairs  of  life.  Save  that  she  has  a  great  longing 
to  know  something  of  her  own  family,  Annetje  is  a 
happy  girl,  and  'tis  my  wish  to  keep  her  so." 

"  But  of  late  you  have  had  a  fear  that  trouble 
was  in  store  for  her,"  Mevrouw  Varleth  stated  in 
a  matter-of-fact  tone. 

"  Now  'tis  you  who  take  a  turn  at  mind-reading, 
your  Mightiness,"  the  dame  answered  with  a  smile. 

"  And  yet  I  am  no  witch,"  Mevrouw  Varleth  re- 
plied, smiling  in  her  turn.  "  Come,  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom,"  she  went  on,  going  straight  to  the  point  at 
last.  "  We  are  two  women  who  know  something 
of  the  world,  so  we  may  be  frank  in  the  matter 
before  us.  My  nephew,  Balthazar  Stu^^vesant,  has 
caused  your  worry  or  I  am  much  mistaken." 

"  Aye,  that  he  has,"  the  dame  said,  candidly. 

*'  More  may  come  of  a  fire  than  the  burning  of  a 
thatch,"  remarked  Mevrouw  Varleth,  half  to  her- 
self. "  Lacking  that  opportunity,  they  might  never 
have  met  each  other." 

*'  Nay,  they  were  bound  to  come  together,"  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  asserted.  *'  'Tis  in  my  mind  that  we  may 
plan  this  or  that,  but  there  is  a  power  above  us  that 
will  set  our  schemes  at  naught." 

"  What  mean  you  by  that?  "  demanded  the  other. 

"  'Tis  something  of  a  prophecy,  your  Mighti- 
ness," Vrouw  Pelgrom  explained.  "  You  know  the 
child's  story;  how  she  sat  with  the  Director  Gen- 
eral that  day  when  the  council  decided  what  should 
be  done  with  her?  Do  you  remember  an  old 
woman,  cracked  Jettje  we  called  her,  who  had  a 
floria  a  week  from  the  public  chest?     She  has  been 


124  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

dead  these  five  years  past.  Seeing  Annetje  placed 
beside  his  High  Mightiness,  she  spoke  into  my  ear 
in  this  wise.  '  The  great  Stuyvesant  can  order  one 
to  the  cord  as  he  has  threatened  to  do  just  now;  but 
he  cannot  keep  that  child  from  sharing  all  that  one 
Stuyvesant  has  to  give.  She'll  sit  in  the  chair  of  a 
Stuyvesant  and  none  shall  say  her  nay!  Mark  well 
old  Jettje's  words  for,  when  she  is  in  her  grave 
you'll  remember  them  and  will  see  them  come  true.' 
I  have  of  late  good  cause  to  remember  them,  your 
Mightiness !  Are  they  to  come  true  as  that  old 
crone  declared?  " 

"  Now  is  that  passing  strange,"  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth  murmured,  impressed  in  spite  of  herself.  "  I 
own  to  as  little  superstition  as  the  next,  but  I  vow 
this  sets  one  a-thinking." 

"  Aye,  there  you  speak  wisdom,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
assented.  "  I  thought  no  more  of  poor  Jettje's 
babbling  than  of  the  hissing  of  geese  until  now,  and 
though  I  cannot  believe  that  the  impossible  will 
happen,  yet  do  I  feel  helpless  to  avert  that  which 
has  been  ordained." 

"  Yet  must  we  do  something,"  Mevrouw  Varleth 
declared.  *'  The  fat  is  not  yet  in  the  fire.  Bal- 
thazar makes  no  secret  of  his  feeling  for  Annetje, 
if  indeed,  you  can  call  it  feeling.  Said  he  to  me 
last  night,  '  I  like  to  look  at  her,  Aunt  Anna.  She 
has  such  a  merry  laugh.'  And  he  bade  me  note  it 
the  next  time  I  saw  the  child.  Now,  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom, I  do  not  need  to  tell  you  his  parents  will 
insist  that  he  makes  a  match  to  suit  his  great  posi- 
tion. He  is  an  honest  lad  and  sensible,  yet  is  he 
his  father's  son  and  like  to  suffer  if  he  gets  not  that 
upon  which  he  sets  his  heart.  I  would  have  your 
help  before  it  Is  too  late,  to  save  the  boy  from  the 
sure  unhapplness  that  lies  ahead  of  him." 


Old  Wives'  Talk  125 

*'  Seeing  that  our  end  is  the  same  you  may  count 
upon  me,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  answered.  "  But,"  she 
went  on  grimly,  "  were  the  young  Heer  Balthazar 
ten  times  the  Governor's  son  he  would  be  lucky  an 
he  won  her.  'Tis  my  Annetje  for  whom  I  am  con- 
cerned. She  is  a  tender  flower  and  I  would  spare 
her  unhappiness  an  I  could.  But  what  is  there  we 
can  do  save  talk?  " 

"  I  had  thought  to  speak  to  the  Governor  but 
put  the  idea  from  me,"  Mevrouw  Varleth  replied. 
"  My  brother  would  take  the  matter  with  a  high 
hand  and  forbid  the  boy  to  see  Annetje.  Then  in- 
deed would  the  milk  be  spilled,  for  Balthazar  is  not 
one  to  give  in  easily.     Nay,  that  is  not  the  way." 

"  Your  Mightiness  sees  clearly,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
replied.  "  I  had  almost  resolved  to  forbid  Annetje 
to  meet  the  young  sir;  but  she  would  have  asked 
'  why?  '  and  I  would  have  had  no  answer  save  the 
one  which  I  could  not  give  her.  The  problem  is 
not  so  simple  as  it  appears." 

"  There  is  but  one  way,  then,"  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth asserted,  after  a  moment's  thought.  ^'  I  must 
try  to  persuade  his  mother  that  a  trip  to  the  West 
Indies  is  advisable  for  Balthazar's  health  and  edu- 
cation." 

"  'Tis  the  best  plan  in  the  world!  "  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom exclaimed.  "  If  we  can  but  separate  them 
before  a  thought  of  love  has  come  to  either,  then  are 
they  both  saved  a  deal  of  heartache.  I  pray  your 
Mightiness  may  succeed." 

Mevrouw  Varleth  prepared  to  take  her  departure 
and  her  hostess  struggled  up  out  of  her  chair. 

*'  I  am  relieved,  Vrouw  Pelgrom,"  said  the  vis- 
itor, *'  that  you  are  not  at  odds  with  me.  Together 
we  may  be  able  to  do  something,  though  perhaps 
we  are  concerning  ourselves  overmuch.     But  'tis  a 


126  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

task  to  try  to  build  a  barrier  against  fate,  and  if 
indeed  that  old  woman's  prophecy  comes  true  you 
may  count  Anna  Varleth  Annetje's  friend  In  the 
family.  I  need  not  conceal  the  fact  that  the  child 
has  quite  won  me  with  her  pretty  face  and  sweet 
frankness;  but  for  her  sake  as  well  as  Balthazar's, 
I  shall  do  my  best  to  stop  their  growing  Intimacy." 

*'  I  thank  your  Mightiness  for  your  great  kind- 
ness,** said  the  dame  with  sincere  gratitude.  "  In 
truth  Annetje  Is  still  little  more  than  a  child,  but 
tomorrow  —  who  can  say  what  will  happen?  '* 

"  We  can  only  try  to  be  prepared  against  that 
time,"  answered  Mevrouw  Varleth.  "  If  aught  of 
moment  comes  to  your  knowledge  I  shall  trust  you 
to  send  me  news  of  It  and  I,  on  my  part,  shall  keep 
you  Informed.  Let  that  be  a  pact  between  us  and 
in  the  meantime  I  shall  strive  to  have  the  lad  sent 
away." 

With  that  the  great  lady  took  her  departure  and 
Vrouw  Pelgrom  went  back  to  her  chair  shaking  her 
head  dubiously. 

Upon  her  return  home  Mevrouw  Varleth  found 
Balthazar  awaiting  her  and  could  not  refrain  from 
giving  him  a  hint  at  least,  of  what  was  In  her  mind. 

*'  By  the  way,  Balthazar,"  she  began  lightly,  "  I 
saw  Annetje  Pelgrom  today.  I  fear  thou  mayest 
cause  some  chattering  folk  to  linger  over  their  tea 
an  thou  art  not  careful.  Tea-parties  are  the  vogue 
since  the  De  Sille's  took  up  the  English  fashion." 
She  had  tried  to  give  her  warning  indifferently,  but 
indeed  her  nephew  scarce  noted  at  the  time  that  it 
was  a  warning. 

"  I  dislike  the  English,"  he  said  frowning.  "  I 
have  thought  for  some  time  to  talk  to  thee  of  them. 
My  father  deals  with  each  case  as  It  arises.  Lange 
Isleland,  Connecticut,  the  South  River  Colonies  — 


Old  Wives'  Talk  127 

they  all  trouble  him;  but  for  my  part  it  is  here  in 
this  town  that  the  strength  of  the  English  worries 
me.  The  time  is  at  hand  when  they  will  outnumber 
us  man  to  man;  but  because  they  are  law-abiding, 
because  they  side  with  him  in  all  disputes,  boot- 
lickers that  they  are,  my  father  heeds  it  not.  '  They 
take  the  oath,'  he  says.  '  They  make  good  Dutch- 
men! '  Save  the  mark!  How  many  of  them  ever 
trouble  to  learn  the  language  that  has  become  their 
own?" 

''  Thy  father  is  not  altogether  unmindful  of  the 
situation,  I  think,"  Mevrouw  Varleth  answered. 
"  He  has  asked  aid  of  Holland,  but  it  comes  not. 
Since  the  walls  cannot  hear,  Balthazar,  I  will  whis- 
per to  thee,  that  the  Honourable  the  West  Indian 
Company,  has  the  love  for  its  province  one  has  for 
a  purse.  So  long  as  there  is  money  in  it,  it  is  cher- 
ished, but  should  it  need  new  rings  or  a  patch  of 
new  silk  netting  —  in  fine  should  it  become  an  ex- 
pense, it  takes  a  deal  of  thinking  over  before  the 
thing  is  done." 

*' Meanwhile  the  English  encroach  upon  our  lands 
on  every  side  and  those  in  our  midst  daily  become 
more  insolent.  For  my  part  I  find  myself  taking 
a  prejudice  against  even  such  old  friends  as  the 
Allertons  or  Sir  Harry  Moody.  Within  me  I  have 
the  conviction  that  some  day  It  will  come  to  grips 
with  England, —  and  then  when  It  is  race  against 
race,  where  will  our  docile  British  subjects  stand?  " 

His  aunt  shook  her  head.  She  was  Inclined  to 
agree  with  the  lad. 

"  Our  hope  lies  in  the  fact  that  most  of  them 
came  here  to  escape  the  English  rule,"  she  said. 

*'  We  hope  too  much,"  Balthazar  answered,  al- 
most sullenly,  "  they  see  the  English  Colonies  free 
of  our  taxes  and  more  prosperous  than  we.     We 


128  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

should  fear  Instead  of  hoping.  Then  perchance  our 
fear  would  lead  us  to  take  measures  to  protect  our- 
selves." 

'*  You  talk  like  a  man,  Balthazar,"  said  his  aunt. 
"  If  as  you  say  it  comes  to  grips  with  England,  we 
shall  have  need  of  men." 

*'  We  shall,"  answered  the  lad,  "  but  even  men 
will  not  avail  if  we  have  naught  to  arm  them  with. 
I  for  one,  will  not  urge  others  to  go  against  well 
armed  soldiers  with  bare  hands.  Remember  that, 
Aunt  Anna." 

Here  their  conversation  was  Interrupted,  but  long 
afterward  Mevrouw  Varleth  remembered  every 
word  of  it. 


CHAPTER  XV 

THE    WARNING 

MEANWHILE  Annetje,  thinking  little  of 
Mevrouw  Varleth's  visit  and  counting  it  but 
a  new  and  good  customer  for  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom,  set  off  briskly  on  her  way,  scampering  with 
Nickje  when  once  they  were  in  the  open,  and  glad 
of  the  chance  to  be  out  of  doors. 

As  she  neared  the  Maagde  Paetje  she  noted  that 
the  brook  was  swollen  and  began  to  fear  for  her 
flax. 

"  'TIs  as  well  I  came,''  she  murmured,  hurrying 
on.  "  'Twill  be  all  washed  away  an  the  stream 
rises  any  higher." 

As  she  neared  the  drying-green,  which  was  de- 
serted, the  bushes  parted  and  an  Indian  came  swiftly 
toward  her.  He  was  a  stranger  and  seemed  sterner 
of  countenance  than  those  who  had  guarded  her  in 
the  past,  but  she  feared  him  not  and  awaited  his 
approach. 

"  Seven  suns  ago,  O  White  Blossom,"  he  began 
in  a  deep  voice,  "  I  was  in  the  north.  One  there 
has  sent  me  with  warning  of  a  danger." 

"Danger!"  echoed  Annetje,  surprised  at  his 
words.  "  Where  shall  I  look  for  it,  O  red 
brother?" 

"  From  the  forests,  white  sister,"  he  answered 
boldly.  "  Our  nation  has  suffered  much.  On  every 
hand  there  is  a  murmuring  like  the  voice  of  the  great 
river  when  it  swells  to  break  the  ice.     The  palefaces 

129 


I30  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

have  taken  our  lands.  The  palefaces  have  driven 
off  the  game,  so  that  we  must  hunt  afar  in  the  lands 
of  our  enemies  —  or  starve  I  The  palefaces  have 
killed  our  squaws  and  our  braves  as  they  willed. 
The  memory  of  oppression  is  strong  within  our  peo- 
ple. The  old  wounds  have  been  plaistered  with 
lying  words  that  heal  naught,  and  the  time  has  come 
when  our  faces  are  painted  black  and  the  hatchet 
dug  up.  See  to  it,  O  white  sister,  that  in  the  fury 
of  the  attack  a  brave,  blind  with  wrath,  strike  thee 
not.  Hide,  O  sister,  ere  it  is  too  late,  or  come  back 
to  me  with  thine  own  people." 

"  Have  the  braves  then  taken  to  the  warpath?  " 
asked  Annetje,  greatly  alarmed. 

**  Already  are  they  upon  the  warpath,"  the  savage 
answered.  "  Already  are  the  faces  of  the  warriors 
painted  black.  Already  are  the  villages  of  the  pale- 
faces burning.  I  am  sent  to  warn  the  White  Blos- 
som, whose  life  is  dear  to  the  heart  of  the  Sachem. 
Now  I  go  back,  to  come  again  with  upraised  tom- 
ahawk." 

"  Oh,"  sighed  Annetje,  *'  does  not  my  red  brother 
know  that  in  the  end  the  paleface  takes  a  double 
revenge,  and  the  penalties  are  grievous?  Why  can- 
not my  people  bring  their  complaints  to  the  Great 
White  Chief?  He  is  just.  He  is  not  unmerciful 
to  his  red  brother.  His  words  are  the  law  of  this 
land  and  he  will  not  suffer  that  our  tribe  shall  be 
oppressed." 

**  'Tis  the  talk  of  old  men  who  have  lost  their 
teeth  and  can  no  longer  bite,"  the  Indian  answered 
scornfully.  "  We  warriors  are  strong.  The  blood 
of  the  young  braves  runs  hot  within  them.  At  the 
name  of  the  Great  White  Chief  they  shake  their 
heads.  Already  there  has  been  too  much  parleying. 
The    doom    is   in   the   air  I     The   time    has   come  I 


The  Warning  131 

The  red  man  and  the  pale  face  can  no  longer  live 
in  the  same  land.  One  must  go.  Again  I  warn 
my  sister.  Go  not  into  the  woods  alone  lest  thou 
art  taken  for  another,  for  once  the  arrow  is  loosed 
who  can  stay  it?"  His  arm  moved  swiftly  in  a 
gesture  of  finality  and  he  turned  to  go. 

*' Stop,  O  red  brother!"  cried  Annetje.  "Can 
naught  be  done  ere  it  is  too  late?  My  heart  bleeds 
when  I  think  of  the  sorrow  this  will  bring  down  on 
every  wigwam  of  my  people.  Know  you  not  that  in 
the  end  the  palefaces  will  beat  you  back?  They  are 
many  and  their  guns  shoot  far.  Seek  a  parley  with 
the  Great  White  Chief  and  find  a  remedy  ere  it  is 
too  late."^ 

'^  The  time  for  parleys  has  passed,  O  my  sister," 
the  redskin  answered.  "  Your  brother  was  one  of 
those  who  counselled  patience  as  did  the  Sachem,  not 
to  save  the  palefaces  —  for  we  love  them  not  and 
would  not  lift  a  finger  to  stay  their  just  punishment 
—  but  in  the  hope  that  those  of  them  who  trade 
upon  the  weakness  of  our  people,  might  be  stopped 
and  that  we  might  continue  as  brothers.  But  your 
strong  chiefs,  for  the  sake  of  a  few  skins  of  beaver, 
look  on  while  our  young  braves  are  made  silly  with 
fire-water.  Now  the  council  has  decided.  The 
tribe  is  upon  the  warpath.  There  is  to  be  no  turn- 
ing back.  Soon  will  all  have  proof  that  the  red 
man  of  the  forest  is  no  slave  of  the  paleface  but 
a  man  who  will  not  hesitate  to  strike  those  who 
would  rob  him  of  his  wits  to  rob  him  of  his  land." 

Without  another  word  the  gaunt  savage  turned 
and  strode  swiftly  toward  the  dense  woods,  into 
which  he  disappeared. 

With  her  mind  but  half  upon  her  work  Annetje 
secured  her  flax  and  started  hastily  home.  As  she 
passed   through   the   broken   barrier   guarding   the 


132  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

northern  border  of  the  town,  she  could  not  help  a 
shudder  as  she  saw  the  wretched  state  of  its  un- 
repair. Many  rods  of  it  were  gone  altogether,  and 
should  the  savages  rise  as  had  been  threatened,  no 
dependence  could  be  placed  upon  that  frail  barri- 
cade in  its  present  condition.  The  attack  would 
come  swiftly;  of  that  she  was  sure,  and  it  was  needful 
that  all  haste  be  made  to  arm  against  it  if  the  Dutch 
of  Nieuw  Amsterdam  were  to  save  themselves. 
But  in  her  heart  was  a  great  ache  of  pity  that  these 
things  should  come  to  pass. 

Annetje  herself  knew  not  where  lay  her  sym- 
pathies. She  hurried  on,  meaning  to  go  at  once  to 
the  Governor  and  tell  him  what  she  had  just  heard, 
but  she  could  not  rid  herself  of  the  feeling  that  in 
doing  this  she  must  betray  those  who  had  loved  and 
guarded  her  all  her  life.  She  had  learned  from 
Balthazar,  that  his  father  would  go  to  great  lengths 
to  keep  on  a  friendly  footing  with  the  Indians,  but 
she  knew  also  that  many  of  the  Dutch  held  the 
wilden  in  contempt  and  cared  naught  what  happened 
to  them,  so  long  as  they  gained  their  selfish  ends. 
It  was  all  too  true  that  the  trade  in  rum  was  carried 
on  in  spite  of  the  Director's  General's  laws,  and  to 
that  traffic  might  be  traced  most  of  the  trouble  be- 
tween the  races.  Nor  was  Kieft's  old  treachery 
forgotten.  The  memory  of  ancient  wrongs,  unex- 
piated,  rankled  in  the  hearts  of  the  elders  who  told 
of  them  again  and  again  as  the  tribe  gathered  about 
the  council-fires. 

*'  It  must  be  stopped !  It  must  be  stopped !  '*  An- 
netje said  to  herself,  as  she  hurried  on.  ''  Surely  it 
is  not  too  late?  And,  if  indeed  they  have  broken 
out  in  the  north,  yet  may  they  be  halted  ere  they 
reach  here." 

She  went  onward  blindly,  heeding  naught  about 


The  Warning  133 

her;  but  came  suddenly  to  herself  as  a  great  horse 
drew  up  beside  her. 

"  Good  day,  Juffer  Doctor.*'  It  was  the  voice  of 
Balthazar,  and  she  looked  up  to  see  the  handsome 
face  of  the  young  man  laughing  down  at  her. 
"  Have  you  another  serious  case  that  you  look  so 
solemn?  "  he  asked  gaily. 

"  Nay,"  she  replied,  but  with  no  answering  smile, 
''  I  must  haste  to  see  the  Governor." 

"The  Governor?"  he  exclaimed  in  perplexity. 
"  Faith,  that  is  a  solemn  business,  In  all  conscience ! 
But  I  fear  you  cannot  see  him  today  unless  you  ride 
with  me." 

"What  mean  you?"  demanded  Annetje.  "I 
must  see  him  at  once." 

"  Then  must  you  mount  behind  me,"  Balthazar 
answered.  "  My  father  is  not  at  Whitehall  but  out 
at  our  bouwerle,  whither  I  am  now  taking  my  way." 

"  Oh,"  exclaimed  Annetje,  daunted  by  this  un- 
looked-for difficulty.     ';  What  shall  I  do  ?  " 

"Cannot  I  give  him  a  message?"  Balthazar 
asked  with  some  natural  curiosity.  "  Or  is  it  a 
secret  mission?  " 

"  Why  to  be  sure,"  Annetje  replied  at  once. 
"  How  stupid  of  me  not  to  think  of  it.  'Tis  this 
you  must  tell  him.  The  Indians  are  up  in  the  North 
and  mean  to  come  here  against  the  town.  I  have  a 
warning  from  one  of  my  tribe.  That  Is  all  I  know, 
but  go  swiftly  and,  as  you  pass  the  barrier,  look 
and  see  if  the  town  Is  ready  to  withstand  such  en- 
emies." 

"  Is  it  indeed  the  truth  you  speak?"  asked  Bal- 
thazar amazed.     "  I  cannot  believe  it." 

"  It  is  the  sad  truth,"  Annetje  made  answer.  "  I 
wish  It  were  not.  And,  oh,  please,  say  to  His  High 
Mightiness,  that  he  is  the  only  one  who  can  put 


134  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

a  stop  to  it.  Beg  him  not  to  think  too  hardly  of 
the  Indians  and  to  try  to  find  a  way  to  avoid  a 
conflict.  Go!  Go  swiftly  for  if  naught  is  done 
blood  will  run  red  and  —  and  —  my  heart  will  be 
broken." 

She  ended  with  a  sob,  and  Balthazar,  seeing  how 
overwrought  she  was,  took  up  the  reins  and  pre- 
pared to  gallop  off. 

"  I  shall  waste  no  time,"  he  told  her.  "  Nor 
shall  I  fail  to  give  my  father  your  exact  message. 
Farewell." 

He  was  off  like  the  wind  and  Annetje  looked  after 
him,  a  sudden  hope  springing  up  in  her  breast. 

"  Perhaps  it  is  not  too  late,"  she  murmured  to 
herself.     "  At  any  rate  I  have  done  all  I  can." 

She  reached  home  and  as  she  crossed  the  threshold 
a  great  weariness  came  over  her  and  she  sank  into 
a  chair. 

"What  Is  It,  child?"  asked  Vrouw  Pelgrom, 
quick  to  note  that  something  was  wrong. 

*'  I  feel  so  hopeless,"  Annetje  answered. 

"  Didst  meet  any  one  upon  the  way?  "  the  dame 
asked  anxiously. 

"  Aye,  the  young  Heer  Stuyvesant,"  the  girl  said 
listlessly.  "  He  is  taking  a  message  from  me  to 
his  father." 

She  looked  up  and  catching  the  mazed  expression 
on  Vrouw  Pelgrom's  face,  remembered. 

**  Oh,  thou  dost  not  know,"  she  went  on.  *'  I 
am  very  stupid  today,  but  my  heart  aches  so  that 
I  can  think  of  naught  else." 

"Thy  heart  I"  exclaimed  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  her 
mind  at  once  upon  another  cause  for  the  pain. 

Then  Annetje  gathered  her  wits  together  to  tell 
of  the  threatened  danger,  and  the  good  dame's  alarm 
put  all  other  thoughts  out  of  her  mind. 


The  Warning  135 

"We  must  prepare,  Annetje,"  she  exclaimed. 
*'  We  must  — " 

*'  Nay,"  answered  Annetje  wearily,  *'  we  are  but 
two  weak  women  and  can  do  naught.  This  is  a 
matter  for  men.  We  can  but  sit  and  take  what 
comes  to  us.  But  I  would  that  some  power  could 
change  me,  for  I  feel  that  being  something  of  an 
Indian  and  something  of  a  paleface,  were  I  a  man 
I  might  stop  this  war."  She  shook  her  head  help- 
lessly. 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  looked  at  her  a  moment  in  deep 
thought. 

*'  She  calls  herself  a  woman,"  the  old  dame  mused 
In  silence.  ''  Yesterday  she  would  have  said  a 
child.     What  will  the  morrow  bring  forth?  " 


CHAPTER  XVI 

A   SUMMONS 

BALTHAZAR  STUYVESANT,  speeding  to- 
ward  his  father's  farm,  grew  more  and  more 
thoughtful  as  he  pondered  the  news  Annetje 
had  given  him.  He  noted  the  barrier  as  he  passed 
through  and  reahzed  even  better  than  did  the  girl 
who  had  bade  him  observe  it,  that  the  broken-down 
fence  was  but  a  symbol  of  the  defenceless  state  in 
which  the  town  stood.  A  long  period  of  peace  had 
given  the  people  of  Nieuw  Amsterdam  a  false  feel- 
ing of  security,  and  though  the  Governor,  farther 
sighted  than  his  fellow  citizens,  had  urged  them  not 
to  relax  their  vigilance,  naught  was  done,  and  each 
year  found  the  town  less  prepared  to  defend  itself 
against  a  surprise  attack. 

Balthazar  knew  all  this.  He  had  heard  his  father 
complain  bitterly  that  words  of  warning  were  vain 
and  that  naught  but  disaster  would  bring  the  Com- 
pany's servants  to  their  senses.  But  the  horror  of 
an  Indian  massacre  was  a  bitter  price  to  pay  for 
slothfulness,  and  though  in  the  end  the  savages 
would  be  beaten,  and  a  dire  punishment  meted  out 
to  them,  yet  would  many  scalps  be  taken  and  many 
a  cottage  burned  ere  the  Dutchmen  could  rally 
against  their  wily  foe.  So  the  young  man  grew 
more  and  more  apprehensive  as  he  galloped  his 
horse  into  the  open  country. 

'Twas  sunset  when  at  length,  Balthazar  found 
the  Director  General,  still  in  the  fields  among  his 

136 


A  Summons  137 

blacks,  directing  personally  the  cultivation  of  his 
lands.  He  was  mounted  upon  a  Flanders  mare  of 
his  own  breeding  and  his  first  thought,  when  he  saw 
his  son,  was  for  the  animal,  flecked  with  foam  and 
panting,  that  drew  up  beside  his  own. 

*' Shame  upon  thee,  Balthazar!"  he  cried,  ere 
the  youth  could  so  much  as  greet  him.  *'  Is  that 
any  way  to  treat  a  good  horse?  Thou  hast  been 
riding  it  as  if  thy  life  depended  upon  its  speed.  I 
had  thought  thou  hadst  more  discretion  than  to  drive 
a  willing  beast  to  such  a  pass." 

"  I  would  have  speech  with  thee  alone,"  Balthazar 
answered  quietly.  "  There  is  reason  a-plenty  for 
my  fast  riding.     I  must  talk  to  thee  at  once." 

^'  Nay,  presently,"  his  father  returned  irritably. 
"  I  will  see  thee  at  the  house  and  listen  to  thy  ex- 
planation there.  I  hope  thy  excuse  is  a  reasonable 
one  else  will  I  forbid  thee  to  — " 

"  'Tis  not  a  matter  that  brooks  delay,  your  High 
Mightiness,"  Balthazar  interrupted,  speaking  for- 
mally to  catch  his  father's  attention.  **  I  bear  a 
message  for  the  Governor  of  the  Nieuw  Nederlandt. 
He  would  be  the  first  to  complain  an  I  tarried  upon 
the  way." 

"  And  from  whom  Is  this  Important  message  to 
the  Governor  of  the  Nieuw  Nederlandt?"  Stuy- 
vesant  demanded  testily.  "  By  thy  manner  I  shall 
expect  naught  less  that  word  of  an  Ambassador  from 
Spain." 

For  an  Instant  Balthazar  was  dismayed.  It 
might  well  develop  that  his  father  would  scarce  be 
impressed  on  learning  the  source  of  the  information 
he  brought,  nor  greatly  credit  its  authority.  He, 
himself,  had  been  carried  away  by  the  earnestness 
of  Annetje's  manner  and  speech.  There  was  no 
doubt  in  his  mind  that  she  believed  firmly  what  she 


J38  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

had  told  him,  and  it  had  never  occurred  to  him  till 
that  moment  to  question  the  reliability  of  her  warn- 
ing; but  as  he  fronted  his  stern  father  he,  not  un- 
naturally, hesitated. 

"  Well,  hast  thou  naught  to  say?  "  the  elder  man 
queried.  "  Let's  have  thy  tale  ere  I  waste  more 
time  with  thee." 

*'  I  may  not  tell  thee  here,"  Balthazar  replied, 
**  but  dost  thou  remember  a  little  girl  Virrhage 
brought  to  this  province  from  among  the  Northern 
Indians?  " 

"  Aye,  to  be  sure  I  remember;  but  what  of  it?  " 
the  Governor  replied  tartly,  then,  on  a  sudden,  his 
expression  changed  and  he  looked  at  Balthazar. 
*' Does  the  message  come  from  that  maid?"  he 
questioned,  after  a  moment. 

Balthazar  nodded  his  head  and  the  Governor, 
picking  up  his  reins,  moved  off,  followed  by  his  son, 
until  they  halted  together  under  a  distant  tree. 

"Now  out  with  thy  news  I  "  Stuyvesant  com- 
manded. "  I  doubt  not  it  has  to  do  with  the  sav- 
ages, seeing  who  sends  it." 

*'  Aye,  that  is  so,"  answered  Balthazar  quickly. 
'*  The  maid  has  word,  from  one  of  the  tribe  that 
cared  for  her  when  she  was  a  child,  that  the  Indians 
have  taken  to  the  warpath  and  mean  to  come  against 
the  town.  She  begs  you  to  stop  it  and  pleads  that 
you  think  not  hardly  of  the  red  skins." 

"  'Twas  on  her  account,  I  presume,  that  the  warn- 
ing was  given?  "  the  Governor  suggested. 

"  Aye,  'twas  In  that  way  I  took  It,"  Balthazar 
returned.  *'  It  seems  they  have  a  deep  regard  for 
her." 

"  'TIs  fortunate  for  us,"  replied  his  father. 
*'When  hadst  word  of  this?'* 

*'  I  met  the  maid  going  to  the  Whitehall  in  search 


A  Summons  139 

of  thee,"  Balthazar  explained.  *'  I  told  her  thou 
wert  not  there,  and  she  gave  me  the  message.  Thou 
hast  already  noted  that  I  wasted  no  time  upon  the 
road." 

"  Thou  didst  well,"  the  Governor  grunted,  put- 
ting his  horse  in  motion.  *'  And  we  shall  waste  no 
more  upon  the  return.  Come,  I  may  need  thee. 
Seek  another  horse  and  by  that  time  I  shall  be 
ready,"  and  off  he  galloped  toward  the  house,  while 
Balthazar  rode  to  the  stables  for  a  fresh  mount. 

Scarce  ten  minutes  more  found  the  two  upon  the 
road  again,  heading  for  Nieuw  Amsterdam.  For 
the  most  part  they  were  silent.  The  older  man, 
realizing  the  task  ahead  of  him,  was  even  then  plan- 
ning how  he  should  set  about  rousing  the  townsmen, 
what  measures  should  be  taken  to  meet  the  expected 
attack  and  how  best  to  repair  the  stockade. 

"  I  misdoubt  me  I  shall  have  trouble  with  the 
Council,"  he  muttered,  half  under  his  breath. 
"  They  think  of  little  but  their  dignity  and  their  fat 
fees." 

"  But  surely,"  Balthazar  said,  "  they  will  under- 
stand that  this  is  no  time  for  talk." 

"  The  trouble  is  that  they  will  not  wish  to  under- 
stand," his  father  replied.  "  Have  I  not  been  at 
them  for  years  to  keep  the  town  prepared  against 
just  such  an  occurrence?  They  will  say  in  their 
hearts  that  I  but  try  to  frighten  them  now  In  order 
to  have  my  way." 

*'  The  maid's  warning  will  suffice  to  answer  that," 
Balthazar  suggested,  but  the  Governor  shook  his 
head  vigorously. 

"  They  will  call  it  the  vain  Imaginings  of  a  child," 
he  burst  out  wrathfully.  "  Canst  thou  not  hear 
Cornells  Steenwyck  protest  that  I  am  over-zealous, 
and  bid  us  wait  till  there  be  further  proof?     And 


I40  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

will  not  Govert  Loockermans  talk  of  extra  taxes  as 
if  they  were  all  to  come  out  of  his  tight-buttoned 
pockets?  Aye,  they  will  talk, —  but  there  is  a  limit 
to  my  patience.  An  they  press  me  too  far  I  will 
act  by  myself,  and  we  can  discourse  of  the  legalities 
afterwards." 

'Twas  dark  when  they  came  at  length  to  the  town, 
and  little  time  was  wasted  in  summoning  the 
Council  to  the  Stadthuys.  The  burghermeesters  as- 
sembled in  the  great  room  and  asked  each  other 
what  was  toward;  but  they  had  not  long  to  wait 
ere  the  Governor  took  his  place  at  the  head  of  the 
table  and  laid  the  case  before  them. 

"  'Tis  as  I  have  expected  a  full  three  years  now," 
he  went  on  after  telling  them  of  Annetje's  warning. 
*'  The  savages  have  not  been  treated  justly  and 
sooner  or  later  they  were  bound  to  break  out.  It 
has  become  a  sport  in  this  province  to  shoot  a  red- 
skin an  the  notion  takes  a  man,  and  now  the  sport 
must  be  paid  for.  I  know  not,  Myneheeren,  whether 
or  no  the  attack  upon  us  is  near,  but  this  I'll 
prophesy,  that  unless  matters  have  greatly  changed 
in  this  town  since  yestereven  there  will  be  naught 
done  unless  we  force  our  lazy  burghers  to  lay  aside 
their  pipes  and  bend  their  backs  to  save  the  hair 
upon  their  stupid  heads.  There  is  no  time  to  waste 
in  pother  of  the  ways  and  means.  For  aught  we 
know  the  attack  may  come  ere  the  dawn,  and,  if  it 
does,  bear  me  witness  that  I  have  not  ceased  to 
urge,  with  all  the  might  of  which  I  was  capable, 
that  you  prepare  against  just  such  a  catastrophe. 
We  will  now  deliberate  upon  the  necessary  tasks  to 
put  ourselves  in  readiness  with  all  speed,  and  I  look 
to  you,  Myneheeren,  to  support  me  in  whatever 
measures  I  see  fit  to  take." 

Governor  Stuyvesant  sat  down  and  for  a  moment 


A  Summons  141 

or  two  there  was  a  profound  silence.  On  his  right 
hand  Vice-governor  De  Sille  twisted  his  small  French 
beard  and  glanced  askance  at  those  about  the  table. 
He  followed  Stuyvesant  in  all  matters  and  felt  no 
call  to  think  for  himself.  Martin  Cregler  upon  the 
other  side  sat  straight,  as  befitted  a  soldier,  and 
showed  no  sign  of  aught  but  a  readiness  to  do  the 
fighting  that  came  his  way.  But  the  others,  plainly 
nervous  and  ill  at  ease,  shifted  in  their  chairs  and 
looked  at  each  other  questloningly,  each  hoping  an- 
other of  their  number  would  voice  the  objections 
which  had  sprung  up  in  his  mind.  For  it  took  cour- 
age to  oppose  the  old  Governor.  Past  experience 
had  taught  them  caution  in  combating  him,  and  none 
was  eager  to  face  the  first  blast  of  scorn  and  anger 
that  was  certain  to  follow  a  hint  of  opposition  to 
his  will. 

"  Well,  Myneheeren,"  said  the  Governor,  after 
a  time,  "  I  see  by  your  silence  that  you  take  my  view 
of  the  matter.  There  remains  then,  but  to  decide 
where  our  work  shall  start.  I  think  there  will  be 
no  gainsaying  the  fact  that  the  barricade  to  the  north 
of  the  town  should  have  our  Immediate  attention. 
To  that  end — " 

"  But,  your  High  Mightiness,"  came  the  whining 
voice  of  Cornells  Steenwyck  at'  the  far  side  of  the 
table,  "  am  I  to  understand  that  we  are  to  proceed 
in  this  with  no  other  evidence  save  the  word  of  a 
peasant  girl?  " 

"Nay,  you  are  to  proceed  on  my  word!"  the 
Governor  answered  hotly.  He  knew  right  well 
that  he  was  not  to  have  his  way  without  a  struggle 
and  it  needed  little  more  than  this  knowledge  to 
rouse  his  high  anger. 

"  Yet  does  It  seem  to  me,'*  snapped  Govert 
Loockermans,   his   huge  teeth   showing  as  his  lips 


142  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

tightened  across  them,  "  that  we  should  have  diffi- 
culty In  persuading  the  people  that  we  are  war- 
ranted In  acting  so  swiftly  when  we  have  naught 
but  this  common  girl  to  show  for  evidence  of  our 
necessity." 

"  It  may  well  be  a  hoydenish  hoax,"  came  the  deep 
tones  of  Jacob  Baker's  voice. 

''  Think  you  any  in  this  town  would  care  to  play 
such  a  hoax  upon  me?"  demanded  the  Governor, 
leaning  across  the  table  toward  the  last  speaker. 
"  I  vow  'twould  be  the  last  one  !  Nay,  Myneheeren, 
the  girl  speaks  the  truth." 

"  I  cannot  but  beheve,  your  High  Mightiness," 
said  Steenwyck,  "  that  such  extensive  preparations 
as  you  have  In  mind  would  lay  us  open  to  the  charge 
of  being  over-zealous." 

"  I'd  have  you  remember,"  said  Stuyvesant,  rap- 
ping his  fist  upon  the  table,  "  that  only  malignant 
fellows  dare  set  themselves  up  against  me,  for  'tis 
treason  to  complain  of  one's  magistrate  whether 
there  is  cause  or  not." 

"  Aye,  but  there  are  the  extra  taxes  to  be  con- 
sidered," Loockermans  still  protested.  "  I  greatly 
fear  such  measures  will  be  unwelcome,  seeing  that 
the  cost  is  like  to  be  high." 

"  Are  we  to  count  the  stuyvers  while  the  scalps 
upon  our  heads  are  in  danger  of  being  lifted  from 
our  skulls?"  roared  the  Governor.  "I  tell  you 
that  the  savages  are  up  I  They  may  attack  before 
we  can  do  aught  —  and  you  talk  of  taxes !  Wouldst 
put  thy  head  in  jeopardy  for  thy  purse,  Govert 
Loockermans?  " 

*'  I  am  not  yet  convinced  that  my  head  Is  In 
jeopardy,  your  High  Mightiness,"  Loockermans  an- 
swered boldly.  "  Till  we  have  some  further  proof 
that  the  Indians  threaten  us,  I,  for  one,  am  In  no 


A  Summons  143 

mood  to  vote  the  guilders  It  would  cost  to  fortify 
the  town. 

An  angry  flush  mantled  the  cheek  of  the  Gov- 
ernor and  he  was  about  to  speak  once  more,  when 
the  quiet  voice  of  Pieter  Van  Couwenhoeven  fore- 
stalled him. 

"  Your  High  Mightiness,"  he  began,  **  it  needs 
but  the  assurance  that  we  are  in  danger  to  put  us 
all  at  your  command.  Lacking  that,  'tis  but  natural 
there  should  be  hesitation  upon  the  part  of  some 
of  us.  We  have  had  our  warning  through  your 
son.  I  doubt  not  the  maid  sent  it  in  good  faith, 
but  it  could  do  no  harm  and  might  do  much  good 
if  we  were  to  hear  the  full  tale  from  her  own  lips." 

For  several  minutes  Stuyvesant  sat  with  his  head 
hung  down  in  deep  thought,  then  he  rose  and  strode 
across  the  room,  opening  the  door  into  the  great 
hall. 

"  Balthazar,"  he  called,  *'  take  with  you  one  of 
my  halberdiers  and  go  fetch  the  maid  at  once." 


CHAPTER  XVII 

WORD    FROM   THE    SOPUS 

WHILE  Balthazar  was  delivering  Annetje's 
message  to  his  father  the  girl  and  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  were  preparing  the  evening  meal 
in  silence.  Each  was  busy  with  the  thoughts  and 
apprehensions  roused  by  the  sudden  warning,  and 
every-day  affairs  were  carried  on  mechanically. 
They  worked  for  a  time  at  the  compounding  of  the 
remedies  ordered  by  the  young  pedlar,  but  the  dame 
could  not  keep  her  mind  upon  the  task  and  at  length 
gave  up  trying. 

"  Put  the  stock  and  Implements  away,  child,  I 
have  no  taste  for  the  business  since  thy  news  came." 
She  pushed  the  pestle  and  mortar  across  the  table. 
"  I'll  help  thee  with  the  supper." 

In  truth  the  good  dame  was  much  upset.  She 
needed  not  a  great  imagination  to  conjure  up  the 
horrors  of  an  Indian  attack.  During  the  early  days 
of  the  settlement  she  had  spent  hours  of  anguish, 
huddled  in  the  fort  with  the  women  and  children 
of  the  town,  shuddering  as  the  wild  war-whoops 
pierced  their  ears  and  watching  flame-tipped  arrows 
flying  over  the  palisades.  As  the  fight  grew  hotter 
she  had  loaded  a  musket,  standing  beside  the  bar- 
ricades in  danger  of  her  life,  and  through  the  ports 
had  seen  the  half-crazed  savages,  hideous  In  black 
war-paint,  burn  and  pillage  till,  by  a  brave  sally,  the 
Dutchmen   had   driven   them   off.     She   feared   the 

wilden,  as  she  called  them,  and  shuddered  anew  as 

144 


Word  from  the  Sopus  145 

this  threat  brought  back  to  her,  with  foreboding 
clearness,  the  experiences  of  the  past. 

"  Canst  think  it  possible  thy  savage  blustered  to 
frighten  us?"  she  asked,  though  in  her  heart  she 
knew  the  question  was  born  of  a  vain  hope. 

"  Nay,  he  came  but  to  warn  me,"  Annetje  an- 
swered. "  Nor  did  he  look  to  have  me  play  the 
traitor  to  my  tribe." 

"Now  what  maggot  hast  thou  in  thy  brain?" 
demanded  Vrouw  Pelgrom.  "  'Tis  beyond  reason 
that  thou  shouldst  have  kept  such  knowledge  to 
thyself." 

"  I  do  not  know,"  Annetje  replied  wearily.  ''  I 
am  as  a  ship  without  a  rudder.  One  thing  only  is 
clear,  there  is  wrong  upon  both  sides  and  killing 
will  never  set  matters  right  between  them." 

There  was  silence  again  for  a  time  while  they 
went,  half-heartedly,  about  the  preparations  for 
their  supper.  Annetje,  her  sympathies  dragged 
this  way  and  that,  was  concerned  only  that  the  con- 
flict should  be  avoided.  Of  the  grim  realities  of 
such  a  war  she  knew  naught.  Stories  of  Indian 
attacks  upon  solitary  traders  she  had  heard,  as  well 
as  of  wanton  killing  of  redskins  by  the  whites;  and 
having  a  lively  remembrance  of  their  tender  care 
of  her,  it  was  impossible  that  she  should  attribute  to 
these  friends  of  the  forest  all  the  savagery  ascribed 
to  them  by  the  Dutch.  Indeed,  with  a  wisdom  be- 
yond her  years,  she  thought  not  so  much  of  the 
impending  danger  as  of  the  endless  feud  this  quarrel 
would  give  rise  to.  Tales  of  wrongs,  long  forgotten 
by  the  palefaces  who  had  wrought  them,  were  re- 
counted again  and  again  beside  the  council-fire,  and 
Annetje,  her  mind  sharpened  by  her  anxiety,  recalled 
dimly  the  wrinkled  faces  of  old  braves  who  chanted 
of  oppression  and  asked  for  the  blood  debt,  until 


146  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

the  young  men  fingered  their  tomahawks,  itching  to 
be  upon  the  warpath. 

Tne  cry  in  her  heart  was  for  a  way  to  stop  it. 
To  find  a  plan  by  which  the  Sachem  and  the  great 
Stuyvesant  could  reach  an  understanding.  But  how 
could  she,  a  humble  maid,  bring  such  a  miracle  to 
pass? 

Then,  as  she  and  Vrouw  Pelgrom  sat  at  supper, 
another  thought  came  to  plague  her  and  she  looked 
up  suddenly  at  the  dame  across  the  table. 

"  Thinkest  thou,  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  the  young  ped- 
lar could  have  aught  to  do  with  this  uprising?  "  she 
asked. 

"Nay,  how  could  he?"  replied  the  dame,  sur- 
prised at  the  question. 

*'  Yet  why  did  he  go  north?  "  Annetje  murmured, 
as  if  to  herself.  ''  Now  that  I  have  set  my  mind  on 
the  matter  I  can  see  but  one  reason.  He  went  to 
trade  with  the  Indians." 

*'  Aye,  that  may  well  be,"  the  dame  agreed. 
*'  There  is  naught  against  that.  Nigh  every  able- 
bodied  man  in  the  city  has  done  as  much." 

*'  But  never  so  secretly,"  Annetje  returned.  *'  He 
wished  no  one  to  learn  whither  he  went,  and  so 
came  to  me  for  a  guide.  That  would  take  him 
straight  to  my  tribe,  and  they  would  be  the  ones  to 
barter  for  his  rum  and  his  muskets." 

"What  meanest  thou,  child?"  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
demanded,  seeing  the  drift  of  this  argument  but 
dimly,  yet  realizing  something  of  its  effect  upon  the 
girl. 

"  I  mean  that  this  sneaking  pedlar  has  been  at 
unlawful  tricks  and  has  made  a  cat's  paw  of  me  for 
his  scheming,"  she  cried  bitterly.  "  He  has  taken 
fire-water  to  the  young  braves  and  they  have  been 


Word  from  the  Sopus  147 

crazed.  That  Is  why  they  have  gone  upon  the  war- 
path—  and  the  blame  is  mine  I"  Her  voice  was 
full  of  pain  and  great  tears  filled  her  eyes. 

"  Nay,  child,  why  torture  yourself  wath  such 
imaginings?"  The  dame  spoke  sharply  for  she 
saw  that  Annetje  was  like  to  suffer  if  she  persisted 
in  this  notion.  "  The  young  man  has  done  naught 
of  the  kind,  I  vow!  " 

"  Why  then  was  his  mission  so  secret?  "  Annetje 
Insisted.  "  I'll  tell  the  Governor  and  have  him 
jailed  as  he  deserves." 

"  Aye,  and  get  thyself,  and  me.  Into  a  fine  pickle 
seeing  that  thou  canst  prove  naught,"  declared 
Vrouw  Pelgrom.  "  Knowest  thou  not  that  'tis  no 
light  offence  to  deprive  a  man  of  his  good  name 
through  mere  suspicion?  I  am  surprised  at  thee, 
Annetje.  Thy  sole  excuse  is  that  thou  art  over- 
wrought. Nay,  nay!  I  am  not  scolding  thee. 
Come  to  me,  child.  I  love  thee  dearly  and  my  heart 
is  sore  to  see  thee  strive  to  blame  thyself  for  some- 
thing thou  canst  have  naught  to  do  with." 

The  good  dame  held  out  her  arms  and  Annetje 
went  straight  to  her  with  a  sob  of  misery. 

*'  If  I  could  but  do  something,"  she  wailed,  hiding 
her  face  in  the  ample  bosom.  "  Oh,  were  I  a  man, 
not  a  weak  maid  fit  for  naught  but  to  weep." 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  comforted  her  as  best  she  could 
and  ere  long  Annetje  dried  her  eyes.  Soon  there- 
after they  went  to  bed  and,  though  the  girl  had  not 
expected  it,  she  slept  almost  at  once,  her  spirit  and 
body  worn  out  with  vain  strivings  for  a  plan  to 
avert  the  Impending  catastrophe. 

She  came  to  her  senses  with  a  start,  conscious  of 
something  unusual  happening.  The  fire  on  the 
hearth  had  died  out,  so  that  the  room  was  in  total 


148  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

darkness,  and  she  wondered  for  a  moment  what  hour 
of  the  night  it  might  be.  Then  a  sharp  rap  at  the 
door  startled  her  and  she  sat  upright  in  bed. 

*'  Who  is  there  ?  "  she  called,  throwing  back  the 
covers,  ready  to  jump  to  the  floor. 

"  'Tis  I,  Balthazar  Stuyvesant,"  came  the  an- 
swer. "  I  am  sent  by  my  father  to  fetch  you  to 
the  Stadthuys.     He  bids  you  come  at  once." 

By  this  time  Annetje  was  out  of  bed,  stirring  the 
ashes  to  find  a  coal  to  light  the  betty-lamp. 

"  I  will  go  with  you  as  soon  as  I  am  dressed," 
she  made  answer,  and  lost  no  time  in  setting  about 
her  toilet. 

She  heard  the  young  man  seat  himself  upon  the 
stoep  and  hurried  with  her  dressing,  knowing  that 
the  summons  must  be  an  important  one,  brooking 
no  delay. 

But  ere  she  was  ready  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  waking, 
called  to  know  what  was  amiss.  Annetje  went  to 
her  and  explained,  at  which  the  old  dame,  a  mon- 
strous figure  in  flowered  calico,  sitting  up  in  bed, 
shook  her  night-capped  head  solemnly. 

*'  And  who  has  brought  the  message?  "  she  asked. 

*'  The  young  Heer  Stuyvesant,"  Annetje  told  her. 
*'  I  must  hurry." 

*'  Nay,  come  here  one  moment,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
insisted,  and  when  Annetje  drew  near  to  the  bed 
she  whispered,  "  See  to  it,  child,  if  the  Governor 
questions  thee  about  this  business,  as  he  surely  will, 
that  thou  sayest  naught  regarding  thy  suspicions  of 
the  young  pedlar.  When  thou  hast  proof,  then  Fll 
be  the  first  to  bid  thee  speak,  but  until  that  time  I 
command  thee  to  hold  thy  tongue  and  tell  only  of 
those  things  of  which  thou  hast  real  knowledge." 

There  was  no  gainsaying  the  earnestness  of  the 
dame's  injunctions,  and,  realizing  that  an  injustice 


Word  from  the  Sopus  149 

might  be  done,  Annetje  promised  to  hold  her  peace. 

"  Yet  do  I  believe  he  has  had  a  hand  in  it,"  she  in- 
sisted obstinately,  "  and  when  next  I  meet  him  I 
shall  tax  him  with  it.  I  will  come  back  to  thee  as 
soon  as  I  am  let  go  by  the  Governor." 

She  was  soon  dressed  and  putting  on  a  huik,  a 
long  cloak  with  a  hood,  she  stepped  out  of  the  house. 

"What  is  toward?"  Annetje  asked  Balthazar, 
as  they  started. 

"  Nay,  I  know  not,"  he  answered,  "  though  I 
judge  'tis  about  your  warning  of  the  Indian  rising." 

"  Then  the  Governor  came  at  once,  when  you 
gave  him  my  message?  " 

*'  Aye,"  Balthazar  replied.  "  He  took  the  mat- 
ter most  gravely  and  has  wasted  no  time  to  set  our 
defences  in  order.  At  least  he  has  called  the  coun- 
cil together  and  they  sit  at  the  Stadthuys  planning 
what  steps  shall  be  taken  on  the  morrow.  I  waited 
in  the  hall,  and  of  a  sudden  the  door  opened  and 
my  father  bade  me  fetch  you  with  all  haste." 

"  I  plagued  myself  for  a  while,"  Annetje  said, 
"  thinking  his  High  Mightiness  might  be  scornful  of 
such  a  message  from  a  maid;  but  took  heart,  feeling 
sure  he  would  understand.  I  fear  him,  mightily," 
she  went  on,  with  a  nervous  little  laugh,  "  but  of  all 
the  men  I  ever  heard  of,  I  think  he  is  the  one  best 
fitted  to  meet  so  grave  a  situation." 

"  You  need  not  fear  my  father,"  Balthazar  as- 
sured her.  *'  He  is  gruff  and  stern  and  stands 
roundly  upon  his  dignity,  which  I  hold  he  should 
do  in  his  position,  but  he  has  a  heart  that  feels  for 
those  who  suffer  and  a  will  to  help  them.  To  be 
sure  he  is  an  ill  one  to  cross,  as  I  have  learned  to 
my  sorrow;  but  In  truth  his  first  thought  is  for  this 
province  and  I  think  he  would  lay  down  his  life  if 
need  be,  to  make  it  prosper." 


150  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

They  came  to  the  Stadthuys  in  good  time,  and 
Balthazar,  as  they  went  in,  spoke  a  word  of  caution 
in  her  ear. 

"  Hesitate  not  to  tell  my  father  what  is  in  your 
mind,  Annetje.  Though  he  may  seem  to  pay  scant 
heed,  nevertheless  does  he  weigh  well  all  he  hears 
and  act  accordingly." 

A  moment  later  Annetje  found  herself  inside  the 
council  chamber  and  there  was  a  great  shuffling  of 
chairs  as  those  within  turned  to  look  at  this  frail 
girl  whose  message  had  brought  them  there.  The 
guttering  candles  filled  the  room  with  a  smoky  mist, 
out  of  which  the  faces  of  men  peered  as  each  bent 
his  gaze  upon  her;  but  Annetje  had  eyes  only  for 
their  great  leader  at  the  head  of  the  table. 

"  Come  hither,  child,"  he  called  to  her,  with  a 
wave  of  his  hand,  and  Annetje  crossed  the  room 
and  stood  beside  his  chair.  "  Here,  Myneheeren, 
is  the  maid  of  whom  I  told  you,"  he  went  on.  *'  I 
will  bid  her  recount  her  tale,  but  first  I  would  have 
you  mark  well  her  bearing  and  see  if  in  it  you 
can  find  aught  that  would  lead  you  to  doubt  her 
story. "^ 

Again  there  was  a  craning  of  necks  which  might 
have  embarrassed  the  girl  under  other  circum- 
stances; but  she  thought  not  at  all  of  herself  and 
fronted  them  calmly,  standing  at  ease  beside  the 
Governor. 

*'  Now,  child,"  he  said  gruffly  enough,  but  lacking 
not  a  deeper  tone  of  sympathy  and  consideration, 
*'  let  us  hear  how  the  Indian  warned  thee.  Fail  not 
to  give  each  circumstance  as  it  occurred  and  hold 
naught  back  because  thou  believest  it  of  little  mo- 
ment. We  shall  be  better  judges  of  the  importance 
to  attach  to  such  incidents  than  thou.  Begin  at  the 
beginning  and  fear  naught." 


Word  from  the  Sopus  151 

Thus  admonished,  Annetje  described  her  meeting 
with  the  brav^e,  and  what  passed  between  them. 
None  interrupted  her  and  soon  she  had  given  them 
all  the  facts;  but  ere  she  had  finished  she  was  aware 
of  the  cold  indifference  of  her  audience  and  won- 
dered why  she  had  failed  to  rouse  that  feeling  of 
apprehension  of  which  she  w^as  herself  so  keenly 
aware. 

"  So,  Mightinesses,"  she  ended,  "  I  thought  it  my 
duty  to  send  word  with  all  speed,  seeing  that  the 
Indians  were  already  upon  the  warpath  and  know- 
ing not  how  soon  they  might  attack  the  town." 

She  paused  and  for  a  moment  there  was  silence, 
then  the  Governor  spoke  sharply. 

"  Does  any  one  still  think  this  may  be  a  hoydenish 
hoax?  "  he  demanded,  glaring  from  one  to  another 
of  the  men  about  the  table,  as  if  daring  them  to  say 
they  did. 

^'  'Tis  possfble  the  savage  might  have  been  play- 
ing a  joke  upon  us,"  Jacob  Baker  murmured  half 
heartedly. 

"Oh,  no!"  cried  Annetje  quickly.  ''The  Indi- 
ans are  not  given  to  such  light  tricks.  He  was  much 
in  earnest  and  — " 

"  Then  why  did  he  warn  thee?  "  Steenwyck  inter- 
rupted with  a  snarl.  "  Sure  'tis  unheard  of  for  these 
bloody  redskins  to  send  notice  of  their  coming." 

"  Hast  thou  not  understood  that  he  came  to  save 
the  maid?"  cried  the  exasperated  Governor. 
"  They  have  a  tender  feeling  for  her  and  would 
spare  her  harm,  but  I'll  warrant  you  they  have  no 
such  feeling  for  the  rest  of  us.  Nor  in  my  heart  can 
I  much  blame  them." 

"  I  must  tell  your  High  Mightiness,"  Govert 
Loockermans  put  in,  "  that  I,  too,  place  small  reli- 
ance upon  this  tale  — " 


152  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"What!  "  snapped  the  Governor.  "  You  doubt 
the  maid's  word?  " 

"  Nay,  nay,  your  High  Mightiness,"  the  other 
hastened  to  say.  "  I  do  not  question  her  veracity, 
but  her  judgment  may  very  well  be  at  fault  — " 

"  'Tis  my  judgment  you  must  rely  upon,  sirs,"  the 
Governor  shouted,  growing  more  and  more  angry  as 
the  resistance  to  his  will  became  increasingly  ap- 
parent. 

"  Yet  must  I  tell  your  High  Mightiness,"  Loock- 
ermans  insisted,  "  that  seeing  on  how  slender  a 
thread  we  have  to  hang  our  decision,  I  cannot  in  con- 
science vote  to  spend  all  the  vast  sums  needful  to 
carry  — " 

"  Leave  thy  conscience  out  of  the  matter,  Govert 
Loockermans,"  the  Governor  roared.  "  'Tis  hidden 
in  thy  purse,  for  where  that  is  touched  thou  art  ever 
mindful  of  thy  strict  duties  to  the  tax  payers. 
Listen,  Myneheeren,"  he  went  on,  his  voice  rising 
threateningly,  '*  I  have  come  to  the  end  of  my  pa- 
tience. I  am  not  minded  to  let  this  city  lay  open 
longer  to  attack,  and  if  the  burghermeesters  and 
schepens  will  not  act  with  me  then,  I  tell  you  plain, 
I  will  act  without  them  I  Think  you  I  will  let  myself 
be  balked  by  timid  councillors  who  look  first  to  their 
private  interests  and  would  risk  all  to  save  a  few 
guilders  in  taxes?  I  tell  you,  no !  I  have  not  come 
to  these  years  of  my  life  to  be  hampered  by  rules 
and  weak  laws.  I  am  the  Governor  of  this  province 
and,  whether  you  like  it  or  not,  my  orders  shall  be 
carried  out." 

*'  Then  shall  a  remonstrance  be  lodged  with  the 
Company  in  Holland!  "  came  the  threat. 

The  Governor  sprang  up,  his  wooden  leg  stamp- 
ing upon  the  bare  floor,  and  leaning  across  the  table, 
he  shook  his  fist  at  the  one  who  had  spoken. 


Word  from  the  Sopus  153 

"  An  I  were  sure  of  that,  Paulus  Van  der  Grist," 
he  shouted,  shaking  with  passion,  ''  I  would  make 
thee  the  shorter  by  a  head  and  send  thee  back  to 
Holland  in  a  box  at  my  own  expense  to  make  thy 
remonstrance  in  person." 

*'  Nay,  let  us  not  quarrel,  your  High  Mightiness," 
came  the  soothing  tones  of  Pieter  Van  Couwen- 
hoeven.  '*  If  there  were  but  some  further  evidence 
of  this  uprising  we  would  be  quick  to  grant  your 
requests." 

'^  Aye,  'tis  proof  we  want,"  agreed  Steenwyck. 

"Proof!"  thundered  the  Governor.  "Proof! 
Are  you  men  that  you  ask  proof  of  what  the  Indians 
do  upon  the  warpath?  Must  I  bring  you  scalpless 
women  and  burned  children  — " 

His  bitter  words  were  broken  In  upon  by  the  sud- 
den thrusting  open  of  the  door  through  which  half- 
staggered  a  man  dressed  in  skins  whose  pale  face 
showed  plain  evidence  of  strain  and  fatigue. 

"Your  High  Mightiness!"  he  cried.  "I  am 
come  from  Wiltwyck  in  the  Sopus,  having  traversed 
the  river  in  a  canoe  without  stop.  The  Indians  are 
up !  Nigh  the  whole  village  has  been  burned  and 
forty-five  women  and  children  have  been  taken  pris- 
oners. How  many  dead  there  are,  we  know  not, 
but  I  am  sent  for  help,  which  must  come  quickly  if 
any  are  to  be  spared." 

"  There  is  your  proof!  "  The  Governor's  voice 
rang  out  above  the  din.  "  I  warrant  you  are  satis- 
fied now  that  this  is  no  hoax.  Out  and  rouse  the 
city!  We  have  wasted  too  much  time  already.  See 
to  it  that  we  have  a  company  on  the  way  to  succour 
Wiltwyck  ere  the  sun  is  an  hour  high.  Martin 
Cregier,  you  will  lead.  Dally  not  in  your  prepara- 
tions." 

In  a  twinkling  the  room  was  empty  save  for  the 


154  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

Governor,  who  stood  at  the  table  facing  the  man 
from  the  Sopus,  and  Annetje  leaning  against  the 
wall,  her  face  buried  in  her  hands.  What  she  had 
dreaded  had  come  to  pass  and  she  saw  in  it  the  be- 
ginning of  an  endless  feud. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

THE   GOVERNOR   PAYS   A   VISIT 

**"^^TOW  let  us  have  a  straight  tale,  friend,"  said 

l^y     the   Governor,    addressing  the  man   from 

-^  ^    Wiltwyck.      "  I  can  give  you  ten  minutes 

ere  I  must  be  about  my  duties.     My  heart  misgives 

me  this  is  an  evil  day  for  the  province." 

"  Aye,  that  it  is,  your  High  Mightiness,"  was  the 
answer.  ''  They  attacked  us  just  after  the  men  had 
gone  to  work  in  the  fields.  We  knew  naught  till  a 
horseman  rode  out  shouting  that  the  savages  were 
up,  and  on  the  Instant,  from  every  corner  of  the 
settlement  the  warwhoop  was  raised.  I  heard  that 
the  redskins  had  sneaked  In  on  the  pretence  of  selling 
beans.  We  drove  them  off  at  last,  though  we  were 
but  poorly  armed  and  the  toll  of  deaths  and  burnings 
was  heavy.  Me  they  sent  down  the  river  for  help, 
but  I  saw  with  my  own  eyes  that  every  house  in  the 
new  town  was  burned.  How  many  there  are  stand- 
ing in  the  old  part  I  fear  to  hazard  a  guess.  Of 
the  deaths  I  have  no  reckoning,  and  save  that  my 
wife  and  child  are  taken  captive,  I  know  no  more, 
your  High  Mightiness.  But  doubtless  other  mes- 
sengers will  be  dispatched." 

The  man's  voice  choked  and  he  staggered  from 
weariness  and  hunger.  At  the  same  moment  Bal- 
thazar appeared  in  the  room. 

"  Has  your  High  Mightiness  any  further  need  of 
me?  "  he  asked. 

*'  Aye,"  answered  his  father.     "  Take  this  man 

155 


156  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

to  the  Fort  and  see  that  he  Is  fed  and  cared  for. 
He  is  exhausted  from  his  quick  journey  and  must 
have  every  attention." 

As  the  messenger  left  the  council-chamber  the 
Governor  caught  sight  of  Annetje. 

*'  Art  here  yet,  child?  "  he  exclaimed.  "  In  truth 
I  had  forgot  thee."  He  saw  that  she  was  distressed 
and  looked  into  her  face  with  ready  sympathy. 

"  We  are  too  late,  your  High  Mightiness,"  she 
sobbed.     "  We  are  too  late." 

"  Nay,  we  shall  save  the  city,"  he  answered. 
"  There  will  be  no  hanging  back  now.  We  shall  be 
ready  to  meet  out  a  just  punishment  ere  they  can 
move  against  us.     Fear  not,  child." 

"  Nay,  'tis  not  for  the  city  I  fear,"  Annetje  re- 
plied. "  My  heart  is  in  the  forest  with  those  who 
cared  for  me  when  I  was  a  baby.  What  will  be 
their  end  if  you  seek  to  destroy  them?  " 

"  Aye,  thou  hast  had  a  painful  part  to  play,"  the 
Governor  murmured.  "  I  can  well  understand  how 
thy  affections  are  twisted  this  way  and  that.  But 
thy  Indians  have  set  upon  us  and  must  be  cured  of 
their  treachery." 

"  But  your  High  Mightiness,"  Annetje  pleaded, 
the  tears  running  down  her  cheeks,  *'  it  will  not  end 
with  this  war.  The  wilden  believe  that  they  are 
Injured.  Many  times  have  I  heard  the  men  of  the 
tribe  complain  bitterly  of  their  treatment  by  the 
palefaces  —  and  indeed  they  have  cause.  Wicked 
traders  traffic  In  rum  till  the  young  men  are  made 
as  children  and  the  wise  ones  of  the  tribe  lose  their 
command  over  them.  Then  It  is  that  old  wrongs 
seize  upon  their  minds  and  they  cry  for  vengeance. 
O  your  High  Mightiness,  is  there  naught  that  you 
can  do?  You  are  wise  and  know  that  one  killing 
leads  to  another.     Will  the  time  never  come  when 


The  Governor  Pays  a  Visit  157 

the  red  men  and  the  white  become  truly  brothers?  " 

"  What  would  you  have?  "  asked  the  Governor. 

"  Ah,  that  I  know  not,"  Annetje  answered.  *'  I 
am  but  an  Ignorant  maid,  yet  if  one  who  had  their 
confidence  spoke  to  the  Indians  and  showed  them 
that  the  Great  White  Chief  is  their  friend;  if  —  if 
—  Oh,  I  know  not  how  to  tell  you  but  inside  of  me 
I  feel  that  there  must  be  some  way  to  deal  with  them 
short  of  war.  It  seems  a  foolish  thing  to  say,  but 
if  even  I  went  and  spoke  to  them  of  your  friendship 
they  might  listen  and  repent  their  misdeeds." 

"  I  am  far  from  feeling  friendly  toward  them 
now,"  Stuyvesant  said,  grimly.  ''  Nay,  child,  these 
are  matters  beyond  thy  reckoning.  Get  thee  home, 
for  thou  hast  done  all  in  thy  power  and  I  thank 
thee  heartily  for  thy  promptness  and  good  sense." 

He  took  her  arm  and  led  her  to  the  door  with  a 
manner  as  kindly  as  he  might  have  employed  toward 
a  daughter  of  his  own. 

"  Then  even  you  can  do  naught,'*  she  murmured 
at  the  threshold. 

"  I  can  make  the  savages  sorry  that  they  went 
upon  the  warpath,"  he  answered  sternly. 

"  But  only  until  they  see  another  chance  to  kill 
and  burn,"  she  replied.  "  Nay,  your  High  Mighti- 
ness, an  you  can  find  no  other  way  to  treat  them, 
then  will  there  always  be  war  between  the  Dutch  and 
the  Indians !  "  With  a  sob  she  turned  away,  leaving 
the  Governor  staring  after  her  thoughtfully. 

Ere  Annetje  reached  home  the  Watch  was  running 
from  house  to  house  calling  the  men  of  Nieuw  Am- 
sterdam to  assemble  before  the  Stadthuys  and  take 
prompt  action.  Shouts  and  calls  echoed  about  the 
streets;  lights  gleamed  in  darkened  houses;  fright- 
ened housewifes,  thrusting  their  nightcapped  heads 
from  the  windows,  bawled  loudly  to  discover  what 


158  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

was  toward,  and  In  a  twinkling  the  city  was  astir. 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  was  up  and  clamouring  for  the 
news  when  Annetje  at  length  reached  the  cottage. 
But  the  bare  facts  only  were  recounted,  though  the 
dame  asked  question  upon  question,  trying  vainly  to 
rouse  the  girl  to  the  state  of  excitement  she  herself 
felt  by  reason  of  these  unusual  happenings. 

"  A  plague  upon  thee,  child."  She  exclaimed  at 
last  in  exasperation.  ''  I  think  thou  wouldst  not 
wink  an  eye  an  thy  wilden  came  and  scalped  us 
all  in  our  beds.  Hast  never  a  thought  for  the  poor 
murdered  women  of  the  Sopus?  " 

*'  Aye,  'tis  very  pitiful,"  Annetje  answered. 
*'  How  could  those  who  treated  me  so  tenderly  do 
such  cruel  deeds?  " 

And  that  was  nigh  all  Vrouw  Pelgrom  could  coax 
or  scold  out  of  the  girl  in  the  way  of  personal 
opinion.  For  the  most  part  she  was  wholly  silent 
and  for  the  next  few  days  went  about  her  work  with 
the  air  of  one  whose  thoughts  were  far  away.  In 
her  idle  time  she  petted  the  racoon,  and  at  night 
when  Vrouw  Pelgrom  had  gone  off  to  bed  in  high 
dudgeon  at  her  continued  reticence,  she  would  sit 
upon  the  hearth  near  the  glowing  coals  of  the  dying 
fire  and  whisper  to  NIckje  all  the  sorrows  and  per- 
plexities that  irked  her  aching  heart. 

Meanwhile  the  city  roused  by  the  calamity  in- 
flicted upon  the  settlement  at  Esopus,  had  rallied  with 
feverish  energy  to  the  Governor's  call.  Ere  the 
sun  was  an  hour  high  a  goodly  company  of  men 
under  Martin  Cregier  and  Pieter  Van  Couwen- 
hoeven  had  embarked  at  Canoe  Place  to  join  forces 
with  those  left  in  the  stricken  village.  There  had 
been  some  talk  of  the  Governor  himself  leading  this 
party  and  he  would  have  liked  naught  better  but 
there  was  need  of  home  protection  and  many  mur- 


The  Governor  Pays  a  Visit  159 

mured,  and  would  have  had  all  the  men  held  against 
an  attack  on  Nieuw  Amsterdam. 

"  Nay,"  the  Governor  answered  these  timid  ones, 
"  'twill  cost  us  less  to  fight  the  enemy  in  their  country 
than  in  our  own."  Nevertheless  he  himself  stayed 
behind  and  saw  to  it  that  those  necessary  measures 
of  defence  which  he  had  been  urging  for  so  long  were 
at  last  effected. 

News  of  all  this  reached  Vrouw  Pelgrom's  cot- 
tage through  Madaleen  Wittsen.  She  ran  in  ex- 
citedly with  round  eyes  and  flushed  cheeks  to  tell  the 
latest  rumours  and  to  gossip  with  the  dame  who 
mourned  her  own  inability  to  go  abroad  and  learn 
at  first  hand  all  that  kept  the  town  in  a  ferment. 
Madaleen  told  of  the  scene  when  the  great  boats 
full  of  armed  men  pushed  off  from  the  shore  on  their 
trip  up  the  river.  She  had  witnessed  the  tearful 
farewells  of  wives  and  children  left  behind,  and  was 
never  tired  of  recounting  them.  She  knew  the  name 
of  each  man  who  had  gone,  and  with  animated  shud- 
derings  repeated  dismal  prophecies  of  disaster  that 
came  from  the  lips  of  the  gloomy  old  crones  who 
foretold  the  worst.  She  had  word  of  each  messen- 
ger from  Wiltwyck  who  carried  advices  reported  to 
contain  further  details  of  the  massacre,  and  so  ex- 
aggerated were  these  stories  that  soon  no  tale  was 
wild  enough  to  fail  of  wide  belief.  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
Inquired  minutely  into  all  the  details  Madaleen  was 
so  eager  to  recount. 

"  There'll  be  a  many  who  ne'er  come  back  to  the 
city,"  she  croaked,  "  and  'tis  the  poor  who  will  suf- 
fer. When  fighting  is  toward  all  the  Heeren  make 
way  for  the  common  man.  Thou  wilt  notice,  Mada- 
leen, that  there  is  no  Stuyvesant  nor  Bayard  in  the 
company,"  she  ended  bitterly. 

Of  these  things  Annetje  never  spoke.     She  lis- 


i6o  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

tened  with  a  sorrowful  expression  on  her  pale  face 
while  the  others  talked,  but  asked  no  questions  and 
could  not  be  brought  to  tell  what  was  in  her  thoughts. 
Yet  she  craved  news  from  Wiltwyck,  her  mind  dwelt 
ever  upon  the  events  taking  place  there  and,  although 
she  knew  it  was  far  too  soon  to  expect  any  tidings 
of  the  party  to  be  sent  against  the  Indians,  she  al- 
ready began  to  dread  the  day  when  information  that 
it  had  started  should  come. 

Late  one  afternoon  she  had  gone  out  upon  an 
errand,  and  upon  her  return  was  startled  to  find 
his  Excellency,  Governor  Stuyvesant,  sitting  in  the 
kitchen  with  Vrouw  Pelgrom  who  looked  flustered 
enough  at  having  to  entertain  so  exalted  a  visitor, 
though,  indeed  it  needed  no  less  than  the  highest  to 
put  her  out  of  countenance.  As  Annetje  entered 
the  great  man  was  speaking. 

"  I  will  not  take  this  step  without  your  approval, 
dame,"  he  was  saying,  but  in  a  tone  that  was  far 
from  conciliatory.  "  It  is  not  my  intention  to  relieve 
you  of  responsibility.  You  shall  have  the  final  word, 
if  indeed  the  child  is  willing  to  meet  my  wishes." 

"What  wishes.  High  Mightiness?"  Annetje 
asked,  knowing  that  this  talk  must  be  of  herself. 

"  Ah,  here  you  are,"  Stuyvesant  remarked,  and 
he  smiled  at  the  girl,  his  face  softening  as  he  greeted 
her.  *'  Sit  thee  down,  child.  I  have  somewhat  to 
say  to  thee  since  it  was  thou  who  set  me  thinking." 

Annetje  sat  down,  a  sudden  hope  springing  up  in 
her  heart,  though  she  had  no  notion  what  this  un- 
expected appearance  of  the  Director  General  por- 
tended. Vrouw  Pelgrom  looked  at  her  uneasily, 
but  the  girl  was  conscious  of  naught  save  the  stern 
face  of  the  man  before  her. 

"  I  have  come  to  propose  a  task  for  thee,"  he  be- 
gan after  a  moment.     "  'Tis  a  heavy  one  and  should 


The  Governor  Pays  a  Visit  i6i 

be  carried  by  broader  shoulders  than  thou  hast;  yet 
it  is  worth  the  doing." 

*'  I  am  ready,  your  High  Mightiness,"  Annetje 
said  steadily. 

"  Aye,  that  I  know,"  the  Governor  agreed,  "  and 
it  is  in  my  mind  to  let  thee  do  it.  Yet  seeing  that 
thou  art  a  maid  of  tender  years  I  have  decided 
not  to  put  a  command  upon  thee." 

*'  Nay,  I  need  no  command,  your  High  Mighti- 
ness," Annetje  answered.  "  If  the  matter  is  what 
I  think  it,  'twould  be  my  dearest  wish." 

"  That  knew  I  also,"  the  Governor  commented. 
*'  And  for  that  very  reason  the  decision  shall  be  left 
to  the  goodwife  here.  She  stands  In  the  place  of 
a  parent  to  you  — " 

"  And  could  not  love  her  better  were  she  my  own 
flesh  and  blood,  your  High  Mightiness,"  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  put  In,  with  a  tremor  In  her  voice. 

''  That  Is  as  it  should  be,"  grunted  the  Governor, 
plainly  Ill-pleased  at  the  Interruption.  "  Here's  the 
crux  of  the  matter,  child,"  he  went  on  to  Annetje. 
"  My  good  friend,  the  learned  Doctor  La  Montagne, 
has  received  a  letter  from  Wlltwyck.  His  daughter, 
the  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck,  was  carried  away  into 
captivity  by  the  savages." 

Annetje  gave  a  sigh  of  pain  and  would  have 
spoken,  but  the  Governor  raised  his  hand  for  silence. 

"  She  has  escaped,"  he  went  on,  ''  and  offers  to 
lead  an  expedition  to  the  secret  hiding-place  of  the 
Indians.  'TIs  In  my  mind  that  thou  wilt  make  an 
excellent  Interpreter,  seeing  that  'tis  this  tribe  that 
once  held  thee.  And  I  propose  that  thou  shalt  ac- 
company Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck.     Art  willing?  " 

"  There  Is  no  need  to  ask,  your  High  Mightiness," 
Annetje  replied,  her  face  showing  the  truth  of  her 
words. 


1 62  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  Then,  dame,  'tis  for  you  to  decide,  whether  you 
will  permit  it,"  the  Governor  said,  turning  to  Vrouw 
Pelgrom. 

*'  Nay,"  cried  Annetje,  jumping  to  her  feet,  *'  I 
must  go  I  " 

"Softly!  Softly  I"  Governor  Stuyvesant  cau- 
tioned. "  As  I  said,  this  Is  not  a  matter  I  shall 
force  upon  thee,  and  as  thou  art  not  yet  of  age  to 
determine  for  thyself,  Vrouw  Pelgrom  must  have 
the  final  word.  What  shall  it  be,  dame  ?  "  he  added, 
facing  her. 

*'  Oh,  your  High  Mightiness,  how  can  I  let  the 
child  go  into  such  danger?"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  pro- 
tested. 

Annetje  crossed  swiftly  to  her  and  putting  her 
arms  about  her  neck,  hugged  her  close  for  an  in- 
stant. 

*'  There  will  be  no  danger  for  me,  Moeder  Pel- 
grom," she  pleaded,  using  the  name  the  good  dame 
loved  best.  "  Thinkest  thou  my  tribe  would  hurt 
their  white  sister?  Indeed  there  is  no  fear  that 
harm  will  come  to  thy  Annetje.  But  oh,  if  thou 
knewest  the  longing  in  my  heart  to  reason  with 
them—" 

"  But  the  way  is  perilous  and  thou  wilt  be  alone 
among  soldiers  who  think  of — " 

"  Nay,  I  told  you  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  would 
be  of  the  party,"  Stuyvesant  interrupted  Irritably. 
"  From  here  to  Wiltwyck  the  maid  will  have  for 
company  the  worthy  Vrouw  Luyck,  who  goes  north 
on  some  matter  of  an  inheritance.  I  am  not  minded 
to  help  you  come  to  a  decision,  but  there  is  no  need 
to  invent  difficulties.  As  to  the  soldiers  you  seem 
to  mistrust,  they  shall  be  Instructed  to  use  all  care 
and  courtesy.  Come,  dame.  Give  me  ves  or  no, 
for  there  is  no  time  to  waste  in  fancied  terrors." 


The  Governor  Pays  a  Visit  163 

In  truth  Vrouw  Pelgrom  was  in  a  quandary. 
There  were  reasons  a-plenty  why  she  should  hesitate 
to  let  Annetje  go,  and  little  to  be  said,  so  far  as  she 
could  see,  in  favour  of  giving  her  permission.  The 
Governor  had  told  her  naught  or  his  motives  for 
the  request  save  that  the  girl  might  act  as  interpreter 
for  the  war  party  in  case  of  need,  and  the  dame 
knew  well  that  there  were  a  dozen  men  among  the 
soldiers  who  could  make  themselves  understood 
with  the  Indians  of  any  tribe.  Without  question 
there  were  objections  to  Annetje's  going,  and  she 
feared  not  to  deny  the  great  Stuyvesant  were  she  so 
minded;  yet  was  there  one  consideration  that  urged 
her  to  give  her  consent.  The  very  fact  that  Bal- 
thazar's father  had  made  the  request  seemed  to  the 
dame  to  show  the  hand  of  fate.  To  refuse  this 
opportunity  to  separate  the  young  people  would  be 
flying  in  the  face  of  Providence.  Thus  did  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  argue  with  herself  and  by  such  reasoning 
reached  a  sudden  conclusion. 

"  The  child  shall  go,  your  High  Mightiness,"  she 
said. 

"Goodl"  cried  the  Governor,  briskly.  "Now 
off  with  you  and  prepare  her  trappings.  I  have  in- 
structions for  her  ear  alone  and  she  leaves  the  town 
in  an  hour." 

"  So  soon !  "  exclaimed  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  her  mis- 
givings again  aroused  by  the  suddenness  of  this 
demand. 

"  Aye,  so  soon,"  he  answered.  "  I  have  arranged 
for  a  swift  canoe  to  take  her,  in  order  that  she 
may  reach  there  in  good  time.  But  she  must  start 
tonight,  else  will  her  going  avail  naught.  On  with 
the  packing,  good  dame,  and  waste  no  precious  min- 
utes in  vain  words." 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  waddled  off  to  the  other  room, 


164  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

In  no  wise  pleased  by  the  Governor's  peremptory 
orders,  yet  powerless  to  gainsay  them;  and  the  mo- 
ment the  door  had  closed  behind  her  Stuyvesant 
motioned  Annetje  to  him. 

"  Listen  closely,  child,"  he  began,  lowering  his 
voice.  "  Thy  words  in  the  Stadthuys  set  me  to 
thinking.  Thou  art  right  in  saying  that  one  killing 
but  leads  to  another,  and  I  am  not  minded  to  add 
to  the  enemies  of  the  company,  who  are  not  of  this 
new  land  alone.  The  wilden  have  not  been  alto- 
gether well  treated  and  I  am  ready  to  meet  them 
half  way." 

"  Oh,  I  am  so  glad,  your  High  Mightiness,"  An- 
netje whispered,  overjoyed  at  this  news.  "  At  last 
can  I  see  a  hope  that  some  day  there  will  be  a  real 
friendship  'twixt  the  red  men  and  the  white.  And 
your  High  Mightiness  wants  me  to  tell  them?  " 

"  Nay,  'tis  a  matter  not  so  simple  as  thou  think- 
est,"  the  Governor  continued.  *'  All  must  be  done 
in  secret.  I  cannot  stop  what  has  been  set  afoot. 
Thou  wilt  find  all  in  Wiltwyck  clamouring  for  re- 
venge —  and  with  good  reason.  An  I  would,  I 
could  not  halt  this  expedition  against  the  Indians; 
but  I  would  we  could  delay  a  meeting  for  if  they 
come  to  grips  there  is  like  to  be  a  grim  battle  in 
which  thy  wilden  are  sure  to  lose.  Also  must  the 
captives  be  returned  forthwith  and  a  proper  penalty 
paid  for  blood  guiltiness.  'Tis  their  own  custom 
and  'twas  that  of  ancient  Greece.  I  fear  no  trouble 
on  that  score.  They  will  know  that  I  cannot  over- 
look the  fact  that  a  treacherous  deed  has  been  com- 
mitted, nor  would  I.  There  must  be  reparation; 
but  retaliation  I  would  spare  them  if  I  can,  an  they 
will  do  their  part." 

"  I  think  they  will,  your  High  Mightiness,"  An- 
netje broke  in  earnestly.     "  'Tis  certain  that  by  now 


The  Governor  Pays  a  Visit  165 

they  have  repented,  but  are  desperate  and  know  not 
what  to  do  save  fight." 

"  On  that  condition  I  rely  to  make  the  war  as 
brief  as  possible,"  the  Governor  agreed.  ''  If  thou 
canst  in  any  way  win  to  them  and  lay  before  their 
chieftain  my  disposition  to  deal  leniently,  then  much 
may  be  spared.  How  thou  canst  accomplish  this 
I  know  not,  for  it  must  be  In  secret  and  without  the 
knowledge  of  those  with  whom  thou  goest.  I  can 
lay  no  commands  upon  the  leaders  of  the  expedition 
to  this  end,  for  indeed  so  angered  are  they  and  with 
such  good  cause,  as  thou  must  admit,  that  I  doubt 
if  they  would  listen  to  me.  To  thee  then,  must  the 
trust  be  given,  to  seize  what  opportunity  Is  presented 
to  thee  and  use  what  means  thou  hast  to  persuade 
the  savages  to  make  reparation.  If  thou  hast  speech 
with  them  In  private  I  give  thee  leave  to  say  in 
my  name  that  I  shall  do  all  In  my  power  to  bring 
about  a  council  that  will  end  the  causes  of  enmity 
between  us.  'Tis  a  task  beset  with  difficulties  and 
a  heavy  one  for  thy  young  shoulders  to  bear,  but 
I  know  thy  heart  is  In  It  and  thou  wilt  do  thy  utmost." 

""  Indeed  I  will,  your  High  Mightiness,"  Annetje 
answered.     "  I  am  Impatient  to  set  out — " 

"  Aye,  but  let  not  thy  Impatience  cloud  thy  better 
judgment,"  the  Governor  Interrupted,  getting  up. 
"  As  an  excuse  for  thy  going  I  have  here  a  letter 
from  Doctor  La  Montagne  saying  that  thou  art  to 
accompany  his  daughter.  I  did  not  mention  It  be- 
fore, but  he  has  begged  that  If  possible  some  female 
be  sent  for  that  purpose,  seeing  that  the  women  of 
Wiltwyck  are  too  frightened  to  be  depended  upon  — 
and  moreover  there  are  few  of  them  left." 

The  Governor  took  two  letters  out  of  his  pocket, 
one  of  which  he  handed  to  Annetje,  holding  the 
other  back  for  a  moment. 


1 66  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  This,"  he  went  on,  "  Is  an  Impression  of  the 
great  seal  of  the  NIeuw  Nederlandt.  It  will  per- 
haps be  a  sign  for  the  Indians  that  thou  speakest  in 
my  name.  'Tis  not  without  hesitation  that  I  entrust 
thee  with  it,  but  if  aught  is  to  be  accomplished  in 
this  world,  risks  must  be  taken."  He  gave  her  the 
second  envelope  and  looked  down  at  her  earnestly. 
*'  I  wish  thee  well  in  thy  undertaking,"  he  said,  his 
voice  growing  gentle.  "  Thou  hast  had  a  strange 
life  for  all  thy  little  years,  and  thy  tender  heart, 
child,  leads  thee  to  a  wisdom  beyond  thy  experience. 
Count  Peter  Stuyvesant  thy  friend,  whether  or  no 
thy  mission  succeeds.  Now  must  I  be  about  my 
business,  for  when  I  am  not  at  hand  the  work 
slackens.  Delay  not  in  thy  preparations,  for  al- 
ready thou  art  expected  at  Canoe  Place  and  must 
travel  night  and  day  to  reach  the  Sopus  ere  the 
expedition  starts.  God  be  with  thee.  Surely  'tis 
upon  His  service  thou  goest.     Farewell." 

He  laid  his  hand  upon  Annetje's  shoulder  for  a 
moment,  then  stumped  out  of  the  room. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

CROSS    PURPOSES 

A  NNETJE  found  Vrouw  Pelgrom  In  an  exceed- 
Jl\  ing  ill-humour  by  reason  of  the  outcome  of  the 
JL  Jl  Governor's  unexpected  visit. 

*' How  am  I  to  get  on  without  thee?"  she  de- 
manded, as  if  the  blame  lay  wholly  with  Annetje. 

"  There  is  Madaleen  who  will  be  glad  to  help 
thee,"  the  girl  replied. 

'*  A  clumsy,  vain  and  gossipy  chit!"  the  dame 
exploded.     "  Set  upon  aping  her  betters." 

*'  Nay,  thou  hast  always  liked  Madaleen,"  An- 
netje protested. 

'*  And  what  has  liking  to  do  with  the  matter?  " 
the  Vrouw  retorted.  "  Will  liking  compound  my 
medicines?  Will  liking  distil  my  perfumes?  Nay, 
I  think  not.  When  I  have  most  need  of  thee,  off 
thou  goest  on  a  junket,  caring  not  a  jot  if  I  am  left 
to  depend  upon  a  silly  maid  who  has  no  head  for 
aught  but  romances. 

Annetje  held  her  tongue,  knowing  well  that  to 
argue  was  useless.  The  dame,  torn  between  her 
desire  to  break  off  the  growing  intimacy  between 
Annetje  and  Balthazar  and  her  fear  that  some  harm 
might  befall  the  girl  upon  the  journey,  was  in  no 
state  to  hear  reason.  In  one  sense  she  had  hailed 
this  opportunity  to  send  the  girl  from  the  town  for 
a  time,  but,  true  to  her  Dutch  character,  she  had 
resented  the  Governor's  interference  and  his  arbi- 
trary method  of  forcing  her  to  assume  the  responsi- 
bility for  the  child's  going.     She  suspected,  of  course, 

167 


l68  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

that  more  lay  behind  this  mission  than  she  had  been 
made  aware  of,  and  that  she  had  not  been  taken 
into  the  great  Stuyvesant's  confidence  was  another 
cause  for  annoyance.  But,  to  give  her  due  credit, 
it  was  her  anxiety  for  Annetje's  safety  that  lay  be- 
hind her  irritation.  After  she  had  had  a  moment 
to  think  It  over  calmly,  she  had  regretted  her  deci- 
sion. She  felt  that  the  Governor  had  hurried  her 
into  granting  permission,  and  that  if  more  time  had 
been  given  her  to  consider  all  sides  of  the  question, 
her  answer  would  have  been  an  emphatic,  "  No!  " 

Now  it  was  too  late  to  change.  Peter  Stuyvesant 
was  not  one  to  tolerate  a  weather-cock,  and  Annetje 
must  go,  come  what  might.  The  goodwife  could 
only  grumble  as  she  went  about  her  preparations  for 
the  girl's  departure,  and  scold  right  and  left  to  ease 
her  wrought-up  sensibilities. 

And  in  these  preparations  another  cause  for  con- 
troversy was  soon  made  evident.  Annetje  was  for 
wearing  a  well-worn  suit  of  doeskins,  which  she  had 
persuaded  Vrouw  Pelgrom  to  let  her  buy  long  be- 
fore, for  use  upon  her  excursions  Into  the  woods  in 
search  of  roots  and  wild  herbs;  but  at  this  suggestion 
the  dame  broke  Into  a  passion. 

*'  Wouldst  have  all  the  settlement  think  I  was  too 
stingy  to  provide  thee  with  fitting  gear?  "  she  cried 
angrily.  *'  Hast  thou  no  consideration  for  my  good 
name  that  thou  wouldst  be  willing  to  appear  before 
Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  dressed  as  a  savage? 
What  has  come  upon  thee,  that  thou  hast  a  desire 
to  shame  me  before  the  town  of  Wlltwyck?" 

*'  Nay,  thou  knowest  I  had  no  such  thought," 
answered  Annetje.  ''  The  skin  suit  is  better  suited 
for  travelling  In  the  forest — " 

"  Then  canst  thou  wear  it  In  the  forest,  but  until 
thou  hast  arrived  there  thy  best  petticoats  are  none 


Cross  Purposes  169 

too  good,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  returned.  "  Had  I  the 
chance  I  would  have  decked  thee  out  new  from  top 
to  toe,  as  it  is  I  will  make  shift  with  what  we  have 
between  us,  for  I  am  not  minded  to  let  gossips  clack 
their  spiteful  tongues  and  say  I  kept  thee  as  a  pau- 
per." 

She  had  much  more  to  say  upon  this  topic,  but  at 
length  the  preparations  were  all  complete,  and  An- 
netje,  arrayed  in  the  best  the  little  cottage  afforded, 
waited  to  say  good-bye. 

"  And  I  have  done  naught  but  scold  thee  while 
my  heart  has  been  sore  at  thy  going,"  cried  the 
dame,  taking  the  girl  in  her  arms.  "  'Tis  when 
thou  leavest  me  I  realize  how  dear  thou  art  to  me. 
I  shall  not  have  an  easy  minute  till  thou  art  in  my 
arms  again.  Wilt  thou  forgive  me  for  a  crabbed 
old  shrew  and  not  hold  it  against  me?  I  was  but 
cross  with  myself  for  having  let  thee  take  this  peril- 
ous journey." 

"  There  is  naught  to  forgive,"  replied  Annetje, 
giving  the  dame  a  hearty  hug  and  kiss.  "  I  knew 
right  well  that  'twas  thy  love  made  thee  short  with 
me. 

"  But  I  think  I  would  not  mind  it  so  much  if  thou 
wert  not  so  keen  to  leave  me,"  the  old  woman  sobbed 
as  she  held  Annetje  close  to  her. 

*'  Nay,"  cried  Annetje,  ''  'tis  not  of  myself  at  all 
that  I  am  thinking.  Were  that  so  I  would  not  step 
a  foot  from  thy  side." 

''  'Tis  a  comfort  to  hear  thee  say  that,"  the  dame 
responded,  heartened  a  little.  "  God  keep  thee  and 
send  thee  back  to  me  safe  and  well." 

With  a  final  kiss  Annetje  started  off  toward  Canoe 
Place,  and  Vrouw  Pelgrom  watched  her  until  the 
fast  gathering  darkness  hid  the  girl  from  her  sight, 
then  with  a  huge  sigh  the  fat  dame  shut  the  door. 


I70  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  My  one  consolation,"  she  thought,  "  is  that  I 
have  saved  her  from  falling  in  love  with  Balthazar 
Stuyvesant.  If  naught  harmful  comes  nigh  her  then 
shall  I  be  consoled  for  my  lonesomeness  during  her 
absence." 

The  next  morning  Vrouw  Pelgrom  received  two 
visitors.  The  first  was  the  young  pedlar,  and  as 
he  came  into  the  room  he  glanced  at  the  table  where 
Annetje  was  wont  to  work  and,  not  seeing  her,  sup- 
pressed an  exclamation  of  disappointment. 

"  Give  thee  good  morrow,  v  rouw  Pelgrom,"  he 
began  cheerfully,  and  would  have  gone  on  had  not 
the  dame  cut  him  short. 

*'  If  you  look  to  find  your  order  completed  you 
might  have  spared  yourself  the  pains  of  coming,"  she 
snapped. 

"  Nay,  I  came  but  on  a  friendly  visit,"  he  an- 
swered, taking  no  notice  of  her  ill-humour.  **  I 
would  thank  your  little  maid  for  giving  me  so  good 
a  guide  for  my  journey  to  the  North." 

*' And  when  did  you  return?"  questioned  the 
dame,  looking  up  sharply. 

"  But  yester  even,"  he  replied. 

"  Your  trading  was  quickly  accomplished,"  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  remarked,  her  gaze  still  fixed  upon  him. 

*'  Who  told  you  I  went  to  trade  ?  "  he  asked,  meet- 
ing her  glance  steadily. 

"  'Twas  but  a  natural  supposition,"  she  answered. 
"  What  else  would  have  taken  you  among  the 
wilden?" 

*' Ah,  what  else?"  he  queried,  leaning  back  in 
his  chair,  and  looking  up  at  the  dried  apples  fes- 
tooning the  ceiling.  He  spoke  as  one  might  who 
was  ready  to  discuss  an  abstract  question.  **  There 
seems  naught  likely  to  send  a  man  into  so  dismal  a 
country  save  only  trade,"  he  added. 


Cross  Purposes  171 

*'  'Twas  luck  for  you  that  you  got  out  when  you 
did,"  the  dame  told  him,  after  a  moment's  silence. 

"  And  for  you,  if  I  may  say  so,"  he  agreed. 
**  Seeing  that  had  I  not  returned  you  would  have 
had  a  stock  of  fine  goods  left  idle  on  your  hands." 

*'  Did  you  hear  naught  of  the  massacre  at  Wilt- 
wyck?  "  she  demanded,  baffled  by  the  man's  evident 
intendon  to  impart  no  information  about  himself. 

*'  I  found  the  town  full  of  talk  when  I  reached 
here,"  he  answered  dryly. 

"  Be  sure  I  know  that,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  grunted. 
*'  But  saw  you  nothing  of  it  up  the  river?  Among 
the  wilden  there  must  have  been  some  signs  of  un- 
rest. I  wonder  you  were  let  pass,  seeing  that  you 
were  with  these  same  murderers  so  recently." 

"Is  it  not  a  wonder?"  he  replied  blandly. 
*'  That  is,  if  indeed  I  really  was  among  them." 

It  was  increasingly  plain  that  the  pedlar  meant 
not  to  discuss  his  travels  with  the  dame,  and  for  the 
first  time  she  began  to  have  a  suspicion  that  he  was 
less  simple  than  he  seemed.  Could  it  be  after  all, 
that  Annetje  was  right  when  she  accused  him  of 
trafficking  unlawfully  with  the  Indians?  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  could  think  of  no  other  reason  for  reticence, 
and  the  conviction  grew  upon  her  that  he  might 
indeed  be  indirectly  responsible  for  the  tragedy  in 
the  Sopus  and  trying  now  to  hide  his  guilt  by  discreet 
silence. 

*' Will  the  Meisje  be  back  presently?"  the  ped- 
lar asked  after  a  time,  and  the  fat  dame  smiled 
grimly  to  herself. 

"  Annetje  will  without  doubt  be  back,"  she 
grunted,  busy  with  her  work. 

*'  Aye,"  the  man  laughed,  seeing  the  drift  of  her 
thoughts,  *' but  when?  That  is  what  I  would 
know?" 


172  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  And  I  too,"  said  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  looking  up. 
"  Above  all  things  I  should  like  to  know  when  she 
will  return." 

*'  Then  you  do  not  expect  her  shortly?  " 

*'  How  could  I  ?  "  inquired  the  dame,  "  seeing  that 
I  know  not  where  she  is." 

*'What!"  exclaimed  the  man  in  surprise.  "Is 
she  no  longer  with  you?  " 

With  great  deliberation  Vrouw  Pelgrom  let  her 
eyes  roam  the  room,  then  with  a  slow  shake  of  her 
head  she  took  up  her  work  again. 

"  She  doesn't  seem  to  be  with  me,"  was  her  reply. 

*'  Nay,  dame,  let  us  cry  quits,"  the  pedlar  laughed. 
'*  The  score  is  even.  I  shall  come  back  again  at 
a  more  favourable  time,"  and  he  started  for  the 
door. 

*'  I  wonder,"  said  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  imitating  the 
other  to  the  life,  as  she  set  her  gaze  upon  the  rafters; 
''  I  wonder,  will  there  be  a  more  favourable  time?  " 

"  I  must  e'en  risk  that,"  the  man  cried  gaily,  going 
on. 

As  he  was  about  to  pass  through  the  gate  into 
the  lane  a  lady  entered,  and  he  turned  aside  politely 
to  make  way  for  her. 

"  The  Governor's  sister,"  he  mused,  as  he  took 
himself  toward  the  market.  "  There  seems  to  be 
something  afoot  between  those  High  Mighty  ones 
and  the  fat  Vrouw.  Humm !  that  jumps  well  with 
my  plans,"  and  he  smiled  as  if  this  thought  pleased 
him. 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  had  no  time  to  ponder  on  the 
pedlar's  visit  ere  a  shadow  crossed  the  door  sill  and 
Mevrouw  Varleth  entered. 

*'  Nay,  keep  your  seat,"  said  the  newcomer  with 
a  smile  as  her  hostess  made  a  feeble  effort  to  rise 
and  receive  her  visitor  fittingly.     "  I  will  sit  here," 


Cross  Purposes  173 

she  went  on,  drawing  up  a  chair  for  herself  and 
looking  about  the  room.  "  I  am  glad  that  Annetje 
is  away,  for  I  have  news  for  thy  ears  alone." 

"  I  hope  it  is  good  news,  your  Mightiness,"  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  returned  solemnly. 

"  'Tis  most  excellent,"  Mevrouw  Varleth  an- 
swered, seemingly  in  the  best  of  humours.  "  I  have 
been  playing  the  part  of  fate  and  I  think  we  may 
rest  easy  in  our  minds  in  regard  to  the  matter  we 
spoke  of  when  last  I  was  here." 

"  Indeed,  your  Mightiness,  I  am  glad  to  hear 
that,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  said,  fervently.  "  The  more 
I  ponder  the  possible  outcome  the  more  I  feared 
for  it.  Old  Jettje's  prophecy  would  stick  in  my 
mind  though  I  am  no  more  superstitious  than  most." 

"  Aye,  and  to  be  frank  that  same  prophecy  stuck 
in  my  mind,  too.  So  at  some  risk  I  determined  to 
thwart  it  for  the  sake  of  all  involved,"  Mevrouw 
Varleth  went  on.  *^  Balthazar  is  away  and  will  be 
gone  long  enough  to  nip  this  friendship  with  Annetje 
in  the  bud,  or  I  am  much  mistaken.  But  to  be  quite 
safe  I  will  have  that  trip  to  the  Indies  ready  against 
his  return." 

"  I  would  that  I  had  known  that  last  night," 
Vrouw  Pelgrom  said  feelingly. 

"  I  have  brought  you  word  as  soon  as  I  was 
able,"  Mevrouw  Varleth  explained.  "  The  boy 
wanted  to  go,  but  feared  his  father's  refusal  to 
consent;  so  I  urged  him  to  leave  without  it  and 
promised  to  stand  between  him  and  a  rating.  I  have 
seen  the  Governor  and  I  think  he  was  pleased  at 
his  son's  spirit,  though  he  blustered  enough  for  two." 

"  Where  has  the  young  Mynheer  gone,  if  I  may 
ask?"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  questioned. 

"  Up  the  river  to  Wiltwyck,"  Mevrouw  Varleth 
replied. 


174  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  To  Wiltwyck  I  "  exclaimed  Vrouw  Pelgrom  dis- 
mayed.    "  I  heard  not  that  he  was  one  of  the  party." 

'*  Nay,  it  was  somewhat  secret,"  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth  continued,  misinterpreting  the  other's  surprise. 
"  He  went  to  Spuyten  Duyvel  by  horse  and  joined 
the  expedition  there.  None  knew  of  his  going  until 
all  chance  to  stop  him  was  past.  As  I  said  there  is 
some  risk,  yet  is  it  worth  taking,  seeing  that  he  will 
enjoy  the  adventure  and  at  the  same  time  forget 
this  girl  of  yours  for  whom  he  has  such  a  fancy. 
So  I  urged  it  upon  him  when  he  came  to  me  for 
advice  as  he  often  does.  Think  you  not  that  I  have 
done  a  good  stroke  to  spoil  that  prophecy?  " 

'*  Ah,  Mightiness,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  answered, 
*'  I,  too,  have  been  playing  at  fate.  I  sent  Annetje 
upon  a  mission,  thinking  thus  to  break  off  the  grow- 
ing intimacy  between  her  and  the  young  Heer.  I 
inquired  diligently  if  he  had  gone  and  received  word 
that  he  was  not  of  the  party.  See,  Mevrouw,  how 
little  worth  are  our  plannlngs  and  plottlngs  when 
the  events  are  forecast  by  destiny.  Annetje,  too, 
has  gone  to  the  Sopus." 

''  The  Sopus  I  "  repeated  Mevrouw  Varleth  in 
amazement.  "To  Wiltwyck?  How  came  it  that 
a  maid  has  gone  on  such  a  journey?  " 

"  By  the  wish  of  his  High  Mightiness,  the  Di- 
rector General,  no  less!  "  Vrouw  Pelgrom  explained. 
*'  He  came  last  night,  asking  that  she  be  sent  to 
Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  as  an  interpreter.  His 
request  put  it  into  my  head  that  the  power  which 
rules  our  lives  was  showing  me  a  way  out  of  our 
dilemma.  Alas  I  We  have  been  but  the  blind  in- 
struments of  Fate." 

"  There  are  you  right,  Vrouw  Pelgrom,"  Mev- 
rouw Varleth  agreed  soberly.  "  I  am  ceasing  to 
doubt  that  old  crone's  prophecy,  for  of  one  thing  am 


Cross  Purposes  175 

I  certain.     Those  two  will  be  more  than  friends 
when  they  return." 

For  a  time  the  two  women  faced  each  other  In 
silence,  thinking  deeply,  and  a  little  later  Mevrouw 
Varleth  took  her  leave  while  Vrouw  Pelgrom  con- 
tinued to  sit  before  her  mortar  with  idle  hands. 


CHAPTER  XX 

THE   START 

ANNETJE  reached  Wiltwyck  without  untoward 
i\  incident  and  found  all  there  a-bustle  with 
X  ^  preparations  for  the  expedition  against  the 
Indians.  In  spite  of  Vrouw  Luyck,  the  clack  of 
whose  tongue  none  could  stay,  and  who  did  naught 
but  lament  the  comforts  she  was  leaving  behind, 
the  girl's  mind  had  been  busy  throughout  the  journey 
with  thoughts  of  how  she  was  to  accomplish  her 
difficult  mission  and  bring  about  that  peace  which 
was  so  dear  to  her  heart. 

But  her  first  sight  of  the  little  town,  or  rather 
what  remained  of  It,  shook  her  faith  in  finding  a 
real  solution  of  her  problem.  A  scene  of  black 
desolation  met  her  eye  on  every  hand.  Heaps  of 
smouldering  ashes  marked  the  sites  of  once  happy 
and  prosperous  homes.  No  one  left  in  the  colony 
but  mourned  a  dear  one  dead  or  a  prisoner.  Here 
was  no  place  to  find  calm  thought  and  deliberation. 
She  had  scarce  set  foot  upon  the  land  when  she 
realized  that  all  the  feverish  stir  about  her  had  for 
the  mainspring  of  Its  activities  the  desire  to  be 
avenged  upon  those  who  had  wrought  so  dire  a 
calamity.  Her  courage  faltered  as  the  great  task 
she  had  set  herself  was  revealed  In  Its  true  propor- 
tions. 

"Oh,  how  could  they  have  done  It?"  she  mur- 
mured to  herself,  sorrowfully,  for  an  Instant  in  doubt 
whether  indeed  it  was  possible  for  the  whites  to  be 
friends  with  a  people  capable  of  such  deeds.     Then 

176 


The  Start  177 

like  a  flood  of  sunlight  there  came  the  happy  mem- 
ories of  the  years  she  had  spent  among  these  same 
Indians  and  the  gentle  care  she  had  received  at  their 
hands.  *'  Surely  a  way  can  be  found,"  she  thought; 
"  they  are  not  so  cruel  as  they  seem." 

She  sought  out  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  at  once, 
who  complimented  her  upon  her  courage  and  was 
rejoiced  that  she  was  to  have  a  companion  upon  her 
journey  into  the  wilderness. 

"  I  had  given  up  hope  of  finding  a  woman  to 
accompany  me,"  she  explained.  "  All  of  those  who 
were  not  taken  are  in  a  dreadful  state  of  fright.  I 
am  right  glad  you  have  come  —  and  none  too  soon, 
for  the  party  sets  off  at  tomorrow's  dawn."  And 
then  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  went  on  to  voice  the 
bitter  wrath  that  filled  her  heart.  In  truth  she  had 
seen  most  terrible  things  and  her  experience  had 
been  enough  to  have  shattered  the  stoutest  nerves, 
but  Annetje  was  not  prepared  for  so  violent  a  hatred. 
There  was  no  sympathy  for  the  wrongs  the  savages 
had  endured,  no  faith  in  their  honour.  She  vowed 
an  implacable  vengeance  and  burned  to  see  the  In- 
dians suffer  as  they  had  made  her  and  her  friends 
suffer.  She  could  find  no  good  in  them,  and  longed 
for  the  time  when  she  should  march  at  the  head  of 
the  expedition  that  was  to  inflict  ten-fold  the  misery 
she  had  endured. 

Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  placed  a  tiny  chamber  at 
Annetje's  disposal,  but  all  the  while  showed  her  own 
impatience  to  be  gone.  Indeed  she  soon  went  off 
to  urge  the  men  to  hasten  their  tasks  of  preparation, 
stopping  at  each  group  of  workers  to  fire  their  anger 
anew  with  her  hot  demands  for  revenge.  Surely  no 
two  people  could  have  had  more  conflicting  motive 
than  these  two  who  were  destined  to  be  companions 
on  this  hunt  for  the  Indians. 


178  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

The  girl  kept  silent,  seeing  that  it  would  be  worse 
than  useless  to  try  to  combat  the  intense  resentment 
that  was  shared  by  all.  Indeed  she  was  glad  when 
Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  left  her  to  herself.  She 
walked  a  little  way  outside  the  town,  having  a  strong 
desire  to  escape  the  scene  of  devastation,  and  sought 
the  cool  calm  of  the  woods.  A  sense  of  great  lone- 
liness overcame  her.  Of  all  the  company  that  was 
to  start  out  on  the  morning  she  could  not  count  on 
one  who  would  have  the  least  sympathy  with  her, 
nor  would  one  voice  be  lifted  in  defence  of  a  wiser 
policy  than  that  of  ruthless  retaliation.  The  re- 
sponsibility of  her  position  began  to  weigh  heavily 
upon  her,  and  she  longed  for  a  friend  with  whom 
she  could  talk  freely  and  who  v/ould  be  at  hand  to 
advise  her  in  case  of  need. 

Almost  at  the  moment  when  that  longing  had 
entered  her  mind  she  was  brought  to  a  stand  by  a 
sharp  command  to  halt,  and  startled,  she  looked  up 
into  the  face  of  Balthazar  Stuyvesant.  They  recog- 
nized each  other  at  the  same  instant  but  the  young 
man  was  the  first  to  recover  from  his  surprise. 

"  Now  of  all  people  in  the  world  you  are  the  last 
I  expected  to  see,"  he  cried,  grounding  the  musket 
he  carried.  "  I  had  just  been  wondering  what  you 
might  be  doing  in  NIeuw  Amsterdam  and  you  appear 
like  a  vision  in  a  dream.  Can  you  speak  or  am  I 
sleeping?  " 

Annetje  laughed  gaily,  unreservedly  glad  to  see 
him,  for  here  was  one  who  might  understand  what 
was  in  her  heart. 

**  I  can  ask  questions,  you'll  find,"  she  answered. 
*'  What  are  you  doing  here?  " 

"  I  am  posted  to  guard  the  town,"  he  replied. 
**  'Tis  not  that  we  expect  a  new  attack  but  'tis  best 
to  run  no  risks." 


The  Start  179 

*'  Nay,  'tis  not  that  I  mean,'*  said  Annetje. 
"What  are  you  doing  in  the  Sopus?  I  knew  not 
that  you  had  joined  the  expedition." 

"  No  more  did  many  another,"  he  replied  with  a 
chuckle.  *'  Least  of  all  my  father  till  I  was  well 
out  of  his  path.  I  met  the  party  up  the  river  and 
left  Aunt  Anna  to  make  my  peace  with  the  family. 
But  what  are  you  doing  here?  That  is  much  more 
of  a  mystery." 

"  I  am  to  go  with  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck,"  she 
answered,  and  then  went  on  to  tell  him  the  circum- 
stances of  her  coming,  saying  naught,  however,  of 
her  understanding  with  his  father. 

*'  I  like  not  your  being  on  this  adventure,"  he  said 
rather  soberly  when  she  had  finished. 

"  'Tis  scarce  a  cordial  welcome  you  give  me," 
Annetje  retorted  laughingly.  "  I  shall  try  not  to 
bother  your  High  Mightiness." 

"  Nay,  be  not  touchy,"  he  returned,  in  no  wise 
minded  to  make  a  joke  of  it.  "  This  expedition  is 
no  junket.  There  will  be  danger  —  more  I  think 
than  our  leaders  reckon  upon  —  and  I  would  not 
have  thee  harmed."  He  used  the  intimate  pro- 
noun unconsciously  and  neither  of  them  noticed 
it. 

*'  I  have  no  fear  for  myself,"  Annetje  answered 
soberly,  seeing  that  he  was  in  earnest.  *'  Whatever 
else  they  may  be,  the  Indians  are  my  friends.  I  have 
had  good  proof  of  that  for  many  years." 

"  Aye,  but  in  the  heat  of  battle  the  wilden  will 
be  little  like  to  pick  and  choose  their  victims,"  he 
argued.  '*  I  would  have  been  better  satisfied  had 
my  father  hit  upon  some  other  to  accompany  Mev- 
rouw Van  Imbroeck." 

They  talked  a  little  longer  and  then  Annetje, 
noting  that  the   shadows  had  begun  to   lengthen, 


i8o  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

thought  it  best  to  return  to  the  house  where  she  was 
to  lodge. 

"  Good-bye  till  tomorrow,"  she  said.  "  You 
may  be  sorry  that  I  am  going  but  I  am  glad.  Per- 
chance you  will  be,  too,  before  we  return,"  she 
added,  feeling  that  he  would  be  just  in  his  judgment 
of  the  Indians  and  would  rejoice  if  an  opportunity 
offered  to  carry  out  some  plan  of  pacification. 

"  I  can  see  no  reason  to  be  glad,"  he  answered 
earnestly,  "  for  even  though  you  come  back  safely 
yet  I  cannot  believe  that  aught  is  to  be  gained  by 
the  risk." 

*'  'Tis  too  late  now  to  change  it  even  if  I  would," 
Annetje  returned,  as  she  started  away. 

"  Aye,"  he  agreed,  "  and  at  least  I  shall  be  at  hand 
to  do  all  that  I  can  to  keep  you  safe." 

Annetje  returned  from  the  woods  with  a  lighter 
heart  than  she  had  carried  when  she  went  out.  She 
counted  Balthazar  a  friend  and  if  need  be,  a  confi- 
dant to  whom  she  might  go  for  advice.  She  felt 
much  less  alone  among  these  busy  people  who 
thought  only  of  the  heavy  blow  they  meant  to  inflict 
upon  the  savages,  and  she  went  to  sleep,  heartened 
in  her  undertaking  and  hopeful  of  success,  though 
she  admitted  to  herself  she  saw  no  clear  road  to  its 
accomplishment  as  yet. 

Annetje  was  up  and  ready  ere  the  sun  arose.  Her 
Dutch  clothes  she  left  hanging,  dressing  herself  in 
the  suit  of  doeskins  she  had  brought  with  her.  She 
looked  not  unlike  an  Indian  maiden  as  she  set  forth 
in  the  grey  light  of  the  dawn,  and  Mevrouw  Van 
Imbroeck  frowned  when  she  joined  the  waiting 
company. 

"  Such  garments  are  far  from  pleasing  to  my 
eyes,"  the  elder  woman  remarked,  she  herself  being 
clad  as  might  a  lady  who  was  to  spend  the  day  at 


J 


The  Start  i8i 

her  household  tasks.  "  I  hate  all  that  reminds  me 
of  these  savage  Mohickanders." 

*'  Then  must  you  hate  the  trees  in  the  forest  where 
live  the  Indians,"  Annetje  rephed. 

"  I  have  no  love  for  them,"  was  the  bitter  re- 
sponse. "  I  go  not  into  the  woods  for  pleasure,  nor 
would  you  an  you  had  suffered  as  I  have." 

"  For  that  I  am  sorry,"  said  Annetje,  sincerely. 
*'  Yet  do  I  think  a  leathern  suit  best  fitted  for  this 
undertaking."  Her  tone  was  firm,  her  manner  that 
of  one  determined  upon  her  course,  who  was  not 
minded  to  alter  it,  and  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck 
looked  fixedly  at  the  sHm  girl,  a  little  perplexed  by 
her  bearing. 

"  It  is  too  late  to  change  it  now,"  she  said  crustily, 
and  turned  away  just  as  the  signal  was  given  for 
their  departure. 

It  was  not  until  they  had  been  upon  the  march 
well  above  two  hours  that  Balthazar  joined  Annetje 
and  the  first  of  the  many  happy  talks  they  were  to 
have  together  began.  The  girl's  spirits  rose  as  they 
penetrated  into  the  wooded  wilderness  and  wholly 
forgotten  bits  of  forest  lore,  learned  from  her  foster 
parents,  came  crowding  back  to  memory.  These 
she  imparted  to  Balthazar,  talking  of  them  as  if 
they  were  discoveries  made  in  common  and  interest- 
ing him  until  he  wellnigh  forgot  the  grim  errand 
they  had  come  upon. 

The  days  were  long  and  their  journeying  tedious, 
for  the  whole  company  must  move  at  the  pace  of 
the  slowest,  and  though  Balthazar  took  his  turn  of 
duty  in  the  van,  there  were  many  hours  during  which 
he  could  trudge  at  the  girl's  side  and  watch  with 
delight  her  graceful  figure  moving  through  the  for- 
est. Unconsciously  they  grew  to  call  each  other 
by   their   first   names    and    used   the    "  thee  "    and 


1 82  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

*'  thou  "  of  equals  without  thought.  They  talked  of 
many  things,  but  Annetje  was  always  anxious  to  tell 
him  of  the  Indians  as  she  remembered  them,  recount- 
ing acts  of  kindness  she  had  received  at  their  hands 
and  showing  him  a  side  of  their  character  quite  new^ 
to  his  experience. 

"  Think  how  good  they  were  to  me,"  she  said 
once,  ending  a  tale  of  her  childhood. 

*'  I  cannot  see  how  they  could  be  aught  but  good 
to  thee,  Annetje,"  he  answered,  and  had  his  aunt 
Anna  Varleth  been  within  hearing  her  growing  faith 
in  a  certain  prophecy  would  have  become  even  more 
assured  than  was  Vrouw  Pelgrom's. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

THE    WAR   DRUMS 

THE  leaders  of  the  expedition  had  reckoned 
three  days'  travel  as  necessary  before  they 
would  reach  the  destination  toward  which 
Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  was  leading  them.  This 
was  a  stronghold,  or  castle,  as  the  redskins  called 
it,  set  deep  in  the  forest  where  no  track  led.  Their 
way  was  difficult  and  slow.  For  so  large  a  com- 
pany much  food  had  to  be  carried,  and  rocks,  fallen 
trees  and  heavy  undergrowth  barred  their  progress 
at  every  step.  Two  or  three  hunters  might  have 
made  the  journey  in  half  the  time  and  Mevrouw 
Van  Imbroeck  afoot,  travelling  night  and  day  on 
her  escape,  had  spent  scarce  more  than  forty-eight 
hours  upon  the  homeward  flight.  But  now  a  more 
deliberate  pace  was  needful  if  they  were  to  arrive 
prepared  to  fight. 

Upon  the  third  day  a  most  oppressive  heat  made 
the  march  still  more  difficult.  The  air  seemed 
parched  and  hard  to  breathe.  No  leaf  stirred  in 
the  trees  and  the  birds,  their  bills  a-gape,  sought 
shade,  silent  even  at  the  hour  of  the  setting  sun. 
So  exhausting  was  the  weather  that  early  in  the 
afternoon  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  halt  and  rest 
against  the  expected  battle  on  the  morrow,  for  the 
stronghold  was  judged  now  to  be  but  an  hour's 
tramp  away,  and  it  was  planned  to  start  again  ere 
sunrise  and  surprise  the  savages  in  their  castle. 

But  so  far  there  had  been  no  sign  of  any  red- 
skins.    Men  well  versed  in  all  the  secrets  of  the 

183 


1 84  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

woods  sought  diligently  for  evidences  of  their  pres- 
ence in  the  neighbourhood,  but  without  result.  The 
advance  guard,  creeping  forward  with  great  caution, 
reported  the  way  clear,  and  there  was  a  growing  con- 
viction that  the  Indians,  having  word  of  their  com- 
ing, had  gone  still  further  north  and  that  many 
more  days  of  weary  plodding  through  this  trackless 
forest  would  be  needed  before  the  wilden  were  over- 
taken. So  certain  were  the  leaders  of  this  that  they 
grew  careless  of  their  precautions  against  surprise 
and  gave  up  to  the  heat  that  was  nigh  prostrating 
the  hardiest  of  them. 

But  of  this  reasoning  Annetje  had  grave  doubts, 
though  she  held  her  peace,  seeing  that  to  differ  with 
those  who  led  the  party  laid  her  open  to  ridicule, 
as  she  had  no  sure  proof  to  show. 

Yet  she  could  not  rid  herself  of  the  conviction 
that  the  Indians  were  near  them.  She  had  a  sense 
of  their  presence,  a  feeling  that  she  was  being 
watched.  To  further  convince  her  of  this,  she  had 
found  each  day  a  white  blossom  plucked  from  its 
stem  and  near  no  tree  upon  which  it  had  grown. 
How  it  came  upon  the  path  on  which  she  trod  An- 
netje could  only  surmise;  but  for  her  It  had  an  un- 
mistakable message.  Yet  was  this  little  pale  flower 
scant  evidence  upon  which  to  question  the  judgment 
of  the  leaders,  so  she  said  naught  of  the  matter. 
At  no  time  had  the  girl  ceased  to  dwell  upon  the 
purpose  that  had  sent  her  upon  this  adventure,  and 
she  would  have  rejoiced  could  she  have  convinced 
herself  that  the  Indians  had  fled  northward.  Her 
only  plan  to  bring  about  the  peace  she  hoped  for 
was  to  put  off  the  battle  as  long  as  possible,  and  to 
this  end  she  was  determined  to  steal  off  alone  and 
make  her  plea  to  the  Sachem,  if,  as  she  thought,  he 
was  near. 


The  War  Drums  185 

After  the  company  had  halted  Annetje  made 
Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  as  comfortable  as  she  could 
in  the  small  tent  they  shared  together.  There  was 
little  she  could  do,  for  the  older  woman  was  nigh 
prostrated  by  fatigue  and  exhausted  nerves.  But 
the  fire  of  vengeance  still  burned  in  her  fierce  eyes 
and  the  girl  left  her,  wondering  if  indeed  her  suf- 
fering had  not  caused  some  malady  of  the  brain. 

For  her  own  part  Annetje  felt  no  great  fatigue. 
The  heat  seemed  to  give  her  a  restless  desire  to  keep 
moving  rather  than  to  drop  down  in  her  tracks  as 
had  most  of  the  other  members  of  the  party.  Leav- 
ing the  camp  she  wandered  on  and  coming  to  a  brook 
bathed  her  head  and  hands  in  its  cool  waters.  As 
she  straightened  up,  Balthazar  joined  her  and  at  his 
remonstrance  that  it  was  better  for  her  not  to  stray 
farther  into  the  woods  alone,  she  sat  down  on  the 
bank  of  a  stream.  She  was  not  surprised  that  he 
had  kept  an  eye  upon  her  and  followed  her.  Indeed 
she  thought  little  of  the  matter,  for  in  those  long 
days  they  had  spent  together  in  the  forest  their 
friendship  had  ripened  quickly  and  she  had  come  to 
take  many  things  for  granted. 

''  We  are  near  to  the  end  of  our  march,  Annetje," 
he  said  soberly,  seating  himself  at  her  side.  "  What- 
ever happens  tomorrow  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck 
will  return  and  thou  with  her." 

*'  Thinkest  thou  the  wilden  have  fled,  Balthazar?  " 
she  asked. 

*'  'Tis  the  conviction  of  those  who  should  know,'* 
he  answered.  "  I  am  not  skilled  in  this  woodcraft. 
Thou  hast  more  knowledge  of  it  than  I.  What  is 
thy  belief?" 

*'  That  they  have  followed  us  for  many  hours, 
perhaps  days,"  she  repHed.  "  I  am  certain  they 
know  we  are  here  and  exactly  what  our  strength  is." 


1 86  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  In  that  case  there  will  be  a  battle  tomorrow/' 
he  said,  a  look  of  anxiety  coming  into  his  face.  "  I 
would  that  thou  wert  a  good  day's  march  from 
here.     I'm  none  too  sure  of  the  outcome." 

''  But  I  am  here  to  stop  the  battle  if  I  can,  Bal- 
thazar," she  answered.  "  It  is  not  war  that  will 
win  the  Indians'  friendship." 

"  Yet  must  there  be  punishment,  Annetje,"  Bal- 
thazar replied. 

"  Aye,"  she  agreed,  "  those  who  have  done  wrong 
should  be  punished  —  and  they  will  be.  But  if  those 
without  fault  are  slain  then  must  their  sons  and 
brothers  wipe  out  that  blood  debt  else  will  the  dead 
have  no  rest  and  the  living  never  dare  to  call  them- 
selves braves.  Thus  one  killing  leads  to  another 
and  there  is  no  peace." 

*'  Unless  we  make  the  wilden  fear  us,"  Balthazar 
insisted,  "  no  colony  will  be  safe  from  their  murder- 
ous attacks.  I  would  be  for  peace  if  a  way  could 
be  found." 

"  I  mean  to  find  a  way  I  "  Annetje  exclaimed. 

"What  hast  thou  in  thy  mind?"  he  demanded, 
surprised  at  her  vehemence. 

"  O  Balthazar,"  she  answered,  almost  carried 
away  by  the  intensity  of  her  feeling,  *'  if  these  two 
enemies  can  be  kept  apart  until  their  hot  blood  cools 
then  might  the  chieftains  parley  with  his  High 
Mightiness,  thy  father." 

*'  But  it  is  too  late  for  that,"  Balthazar  objected. 
*'  Naught  can  stop  the  whites  now.  And,  if  as 
thou  believest,  the  Indians  are  near,  the  fight  is 
bound  to  come.  I  do  not  see  how  it  can  be 
avoided." 

"  The  wilden  will  listen  to  me,"  Annetje  explained, 
*'  if  I  go  to  them  and  say  that  the  Great  White 
Chief—" 


The  War  Drums  187 

"But  how  canst  thou  go  to  them?"  Balthazar 
interrupted. 

Annetje  opened  her  lips  to  answer,  but  as  she  did 
there  came  a  dull  throbbing  In  the  air  like  the  beat 
of  an  overburdened  heart.  It  was  not  loud,  and 
to  the  unknowing  might  have  been  mistaken  for 
the  faint  rumble  of  very  distant  thunder;  but  to 
Annetje  it  brought  a  message  that  blanched  her 
cheek. 

'*  What  is  it?"  asked  Balthazar,  noting  the 
change  in  the  girl's  face. 

For  a  moment  or  two  she  did  not  reply,  but  held 
herself  rigid,  every  faculty  upon  the  alert,  listening 
to  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  vague  sound  that  had 
awakened  almost  forgotten  memories  of  the  past. 

"What  is  it?"  Balthazar  repeated. 

*'  'Tis  the  war  drums,"  she  whispered.  "  The 
wilden  are  dancing  before  the  battle.  They  are 
there,  Balthazar,"  she  cried,  pointing  to  the  north. 
"  They  are  making  ready,  and  I  must  go  at  once, 
else  my  coming  will  be  vain."  She  pressed  her  hand 
to  her  breast  to  feel  If  the  Governor's  seal  was  still 
there,  and  leaping  across  the  brook,  started  running 
in  the  direction  of  the  sound. 

Balthazar,  with  an  exclamation  of  surprise,  ran 
after  her  and  grasped  her  by  the  arm. 

*' Where  art  thou  going,  Annetje?"  he  asked  in 
blank  amazement. 

"  Let  me  go,"  she  protested,  struggling.  ''  I  fear 
I  am  too  late  already.     Please  let  me  go." 

"  Nay,  I  shall  do  no  such  thing,"  he  answered 
roundly.  "  Dost  think  I  will  see  thee  seek  certain 
death  and  not  raise  a  hand  to  stop  thee?  '* 

*'  'Tis  not  I  that  am  in  danger  but  the  rest  of 
our  party,"  she  burst  out.  "  'Tis  a  certainty,  Bal- 
thazar, that  the  Indians  know  of  our  coming  and 


1 88  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

are  preparing  to  fight  us.  I  doubt  not  we  are  sur- 
rounded this  very  minute,  and  that  they  but  await 
the  darkness  to  fall  upon  us  while  we  sleep.  Go 
back  and  warn  Martin  Cregier,  else  may  there  be 
none  left  alive  tomorrow  to  tell  the  tale  of  this  ex- 
pedition." 

"  It  cannot  be,'^  Balthazar  protested.  "  Surely 
our  men  would  have  known." 

*'  Dost  think  the  white  man  can  outwit  the  Indian 
In  the  woods?  "  she  answered.  "  Is  the  pupil  better 
than  the  teacher?  Nay,  I  tell  thee  the  party  is  in 
deadly  danger.  The  beating  of  the  drums  shows 
that.  'Tis  certain  they  outnumber  us  ten  to  one,  or 
never  wcruld  they  attack.  Go  back,  Balthazar,  and 
stay  me  not,  for  unless  I  reach  them  In  time,  naught 
can  save  you  and  the  others."  Again  she  struggled, 
but  he  held  her  fast. 

'*  Whatever  comes  I  cannot  let  thee  go,"  he  in- 
sisted. "  I  have  no  faith  that  the  wilden  will  spare 
thee.  If  aught  happened  to  thee  how  could  I  ever 
hold  up  my  head  again?  " 

"  'Tis  not  of  ourselves  we  must  think,"  Annetje 
cried  impatiently.  *'  I  must  do  my  utmost.  Al- 
ready I  fear  I  am  too  late." 

"  Nay  then,  an  thou  must  have  thy  way  I  will 
go  with  thee,"  Balthazar  declared  and  started  on. 

"  And  who  Is  to  warn  the  others?  "  she  protested. 
*' No,  no!  I  must  go  alone.  Every  moment  of 
delay  makes  the  calamity  more  certain.  Listen," 
she  went  on,  seeing  that  he  showed  no  sign  of  relin- 
quishing his  purpose.  "  Thy  father  knows  my  in- 
tention and  I  am  here  somewhat  In  his  stead.  I 
have  his  authority  to  promise  the  wilden  that  he  will 
not  pursue  them  if  this  expedition  is  allowed  to  come 
to  naught.  I  cannot  tell  thee  all  the  reasons,  there 
is  not  time  —  but  he  wished  me  to  come  and  gave 


The  War  Drums  189 

me  this  to  show  the  Indians  as  a  sign  from  him." 
She  fumbled  in  her  dress  and  pulled  out  the  red  seal, 
holding  it  out  before  him. 

Balthazar  gazed  at  it  for  a  moment  and  his  face 
grew  stern. 

*'  Very  well,"  he  answered.  *'  Go  thy  way,"  and 
without  another  word,  turned  on  his  heel  and  ran 
back  toward  the  camp. 

So  sudden  was  his  action  that  Annetje  stood  still 
for  an  instant,  surprised  into  immobility;  then  re- 
membering, she  set  off  in  the  opposite  direction  at 
top  speed. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

THE   GREAT   SEAL 

ANNETJE  ran  blindly  In  the  direction  from 
/A  whence  came  the  muffled  beat  of  the  war- 
•^  -^  drums  unmindful  of  the  rocks  and  rotted 
tree  trunks  over  which  she  stumbled.  One  thought 
alone  possessed  her.  She  must  reach  the  Indians 
In  time,  else  would  another  massacre  occur,  and 
then  naught  could  stop  the  bitter  struggle  that  would 
ensue  until  the  wilden  were  exterminated.  She 
knew  that  In  the  end  the  whites,  with  their  superior 
weapons,  must  win,  and  her  anxiety  was  mainly  for 
her  red  brothers.  Yet  was  she  also  aware  that  a 
grim  menace  threatened  Martin  Cregler  and  his 
party,  who  were  like  to  be  the  first  sacrifice  unless 
her  mission  was  accomplished. 

Strangely  enough  she  did  not  doubt  her  ability  to 
convince  the  Indians  that  for  their  own  sakes  they 
must  abandon  their  purpose.  How  this  conviction 
had  been  arrived  at  she  could  not  have  told,  but  It 
was  strong  within  her  and  for  the  moment  she  felt 
herself  nearer  akin  to  her  red  brothers  than  to  those 
of  her  own  blood.  These  days  in  the  woods  had 
seemed  to  strip  off  the  years  she  had  lived  with  the 
Dutch  and  to  bring  back  the  simple  Instincts  that 
had  guided  her  when,  as  a  little  child,  she  had 
roamed  the  forest  as  happy  and  care-free  as  the 
other  wild  creatures  that  Inhabited  it. 

On  she  ran,  until  of  a  sudden  she  was  aware  that 
beside  her  was  a  savage,  hideously  striped  with  yel- 

190 


The  Great  Seal  191 

low  and  black  warpaint,  his  tomahawk  in  his  hand 
and  a  fierce  fire  burning  in  his  eyes.  Annetje 
stopped  for  a  moment  to  regain  her  breath,  and 
the  red  man  halted  beside  her. 

*'  Our  White  Blossom  has  come  back  to  the  tribe. 
Good  I"  the  Indian  grunted.  *' Now  may  the  ar- 
row be  loosed.  We  but  waited  till  the  little  princess, 
seeing  our  warnings  by  the  way,  took  note  of  them 
and  turned  her  back  upon  the  paleface  warriors. 
Woe  unto  them  when  the  hatchet  gleams  in  the 
moonlight,  and  the  hunting-knife  is  stripped  of  its 
sheath!  The  doom  of  the  palefaces  is  upon  them. 
Already  are  they  as  dead  men!  " 

His  voice  boomed  in  the  stillness  between  the 
great  tree-trunks,  and  Annetje  shuddered  as  she 
watched  his  face  glow  with  the  eager  light  of  coming 
battle. 

"  Thy  white  princess,  O  red  brother,  would  be 
led  at  once  to  the  presence  of  the  Sachem,  her 
father,"  Annetje  commanded.  *'  Show  quickly  the 
shortest  path  and  be  swift,  for  I  have  that  for  the 
Sachem's  ear  which  must  be  told  without  delay.'* 

"  Good!  "  the  Indian  answered,  and  without  fur- 
ther words  went  ahead  at  a  rapid  stride. 

Annetje  followed,  half  running  to  keep  up,  so 
swift  was  the  pace  he  set. 

They  twisted  In  and  out  among  the  trees  and 
rocks,  avoiding  here  a  swamp  and  there  a  mass  of 
matted  vines,  the  redskin  seeming  to  find  a  level, 
open  path  in  the  trackless  wilderness  of  tall  trunks 
and  sturdy  saplings.  The  dull  beating  of  the  war 
drums  grew  in  volume  as  they  went  on,  and,  faintly, 
above  the  noise  of  them,  Annetje  could  hear  the 
animal-like  cries  of  the  Indians  as  they  danced  about 
the  fire,  working  themselves  into  a  fine  frenzy  of 
desperate  recklessness  against  the  coming  battle. 


192  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

Ere  long  they  reached  the  stronghold,  and  An- 
netje  stood  for  a  moment,  panting  from  her  swift 
march,  marvelling  at  the  strength  of  this  barrier  set 
in  the  depths  of  the  forest.  She  could  not  guess  its 
size,  but  to  the  right  and  to  the  left  of  her  ran  a 
high  barricade  of  hewn  trees  held  together  by  tough 
vines,  and  here  and  there  buttressed  by  heavy  logs. 
Each  paling  of  the  fence  was  sharpened  to  a  fine 
point  at  the  top  and  below  at  the  height  of  a  man's 
heart,  spiked  boughs  of  thorny  bushes  barred  the 
way. 

This  was  the  Indian  castle,  and  at  the  entrance 
two  painted  braves  kept  watch. 

"  The  white  princess  has  come,  O  brothers,"  the 
savage  announced,  indicating  the  girl  at  his  side. 
"  Word  has  gone  forth  that  she  be  admitted  to  the 
Sachem." 

With  impassive  faces  the  two  guards  stepped 
aside  and  Annetje  entered  the  enclosure.  Some  dis- 
tance away  among  the  trees  still  standing  within  the 
stockade,  she  saw  the  pale  flames  of  the  council  fire 
and  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  leaping  warriors  at  their 
dance  of  death.  The  din  of  the  drums  and  hoarse 
cries  of  half-crazed  men  drowned  all  other  sounds, 
and  swelled  at  times  to  a  deafening  roar  that  seemed 
to  dull  the  senses  by  Its  clamour. 

A  great  lodge  stood  nigh  the  entrance,  and  to  this 
Annetje  was  led.  A  mat  hung  before  the  door  and 
Annetje  expected  that  her  companion  would  lead  the 
way.  But  he  stood  aside,  motioning  her  to  go  on 
alone. 

"  The  Sachem  is  within,  O  white  sister,"  he  said. 
"  He  but  awaits  his  daughter's  coming  to  give  the 
signal.'* 

She  drew  a  long  breath  of  relief.  She  was  In 
time,  and  with  her  head  held  high,  as  was  befitting 


"  'I'hou  art  here  at  last,  oh  my  white  daughter  " 


The  Great  Seal  193 

one  whom  they  called  a  princess,  she  pushed  aside 
the  hanging  mat  and  entered. 

Inside,  the  half  light  revealed  another  doorway 
at  right  angles,  before  which  two  more  sentinels 
stood  like  sculptured  figures,  one  upon  each  side. 
They  stirred  not,  and  Annetje  moved  forward  de- 
liberately and  pushed  aside  a  second  mat.  Here 
again  was  another  chamber  similarly  guarded  and 
not  until  she  had  passed  this  did  she  come  at  last 
into  the  main  room  of  the  chief's  lodge. 

At  first  she  thought  that  the  place  was  empty, 
but  as  she  stepped  forward  a  tall  figure  rose  to  its 
full  height  from  a  pile  of  soft  skins  in  a  far  corner. 

The  chief  was  arrayed  for  a  battle,  his  great  war- 
bonnet  upon  his  head,  but  as  yet  his  face  bore  no 
painted  stripes  of  black  and  yellow. 

Annetje  stopped,  and  as  she  looked  at  him  the 
old  memories  of  her  childhood  crowded  in  upon  her. 
In  a  flash  the  mission  that  had  brought  her  there 
was  forgotten.  Gone  were  the  years  since  she  had 
left  the  council-fire  at  the  side  of  Jan  Virrhage. 
Once  more  she  was  in  the  presence  of  that  foster 
father  who  had  cared  for  her,  and  the  love  she  had 
borne  him  welled  up  in  her  heart  like  a  flood. 

But  the  teachings  of  those  other  days  returned 
with  these  tender  recollections  and  like  the  Indian 
warrior  before  her  she  hid  her  feelings,  standing 
stiff  and  straight  in  front  of  him.  For  a  time  they 
gazed  into  each  other's  eyes  in  silence,  but  Annetje 
could  see  the  stern  face  of  the  man  soften  a  little 
and  she  knew  and  was  glad  that  her  coming  had 
touched  him. 

"  Thou  art  here  at  last,  O  my  white  daughter,'* 
the  Sachem  said,  his  voice  scarce  hiding  the  emotion 
he  felt.  "  For  many  moons  we  have  looked  for 
thee  in  vain.     Our  hope  has  waxed  and  waned  as 


194  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

the  blossom-time  followed  the  snow  and  frost.  Our 
eyes  have  grown  weary  watching  for  thy  return 
and  the  heart  of  thy  Indian  mother  has  ached  for 
a  sight  of  thee.  Are  we  forgotten?  Do  the  pale- 
faces hold  all  thy  love?  Are  the  memories  of  thy 
tender  years  all  blank  to  thee,  my  daughter?" 

"  Nay!  Nay  I  "  Annetje  answered,  struggling  to 
keep  back  the  tears.     "  Never  have  I  forgotten  thee, 

0  my  father.     Of  my  mother  I  scarce  can  speak. 

1  have  not  lost  remembrance  of  our  wigwam  and 
need  but  to  close  my  eyes  to  see  the  flicker  of  the 
family  fire  at  which  we  gathered  on  the  winter  nights. 
I  still  can  hear  thee  recounting  tales  of  the  mighty 
hunt,  while  I  pressed  against  thy  side,  trembling  in 
fancied  fear,  yet  proud  that  none  could  equal  thee 
In  cunning  of  the  chase.  Nay,  nay,  O  my  father, 
the  heart  of  thy  white  daughter  has  ever  been  full 
of  love  for  thee,  and  on  my  knees  have  I  prayed  to 
the  Great  Spirit  to  have  thee  ever  in  his  care." 

"  'Tis  well,  O  my  daughter."  The  Sachem's 
words  filled  the  room  with  tones  of  deep  satisfaction. 
"  That  thou  must  remain  with  thine  own  people  I 
knew  when  I  let  thee  go.  But  hast  thou  never  a 
desire  to  live  again  in  the  free  forest?  " 

"  Aye,  when  the  blossom-time  draws  near  and 
the  birds  come  singing  from  the  south,"  Annetje 
replied.  *'  'Tis  then  a  great  longing  seizes  me  and 
I  must  hold  myself  lest  I  run  away  from  my  duties 
to  breath  new  air  in  the  woods.  O  my  father, 
though  my  blood  Is  white  yet  am  I  nearer  kin  to 
thee  and  my  red  brothers  than  to  the  Dutch  with 
whom  I  dwell." 

**  And  now  these  palefaces  have  come  to  kill  thy 
red  brothers,"  the  Sachem  said,  his  voice  growing 
hard  and  threatening.  *'  As  the  snows  melt  before 
the  sun  of  summer  so  shall  these  palefaces  disappear 


The  Great  Seal  195 

from  our  land/'  he  went  on  lifting  his  head  proudly. 
"  Tomorrow  shall  see  them  no  more,  for  they  He  in 
the  hollow  of  our  hands.  Since  three  dawns  the 
braves  have  watched  them,  while  they  thought  them- 
selves hidden.  They  have  moved  forward,  fright- 
ening the  very  squirrels  before  them.  So  heavy  is 
their  tread  that  the  deer  flees  at  their  approach;  yet 
do  they  flatter  themselves  that  the  red  man  Is  deaf 
—  and  blind  I  We  have  but  waited  for  thee  to  leave 
them,  O  my  daughter.  Now  shall  we  strike  and 
there  will  be  none  left  to  carry  the  tale."  He  ended 
with  a  sweeping  gesture  of  his  right  arm  as  if  to 
wipe  away  the  last  vestige  of  his  enemy. 

^*  And  after  that,  O  my  father?"  Annetje  mur- 
mured, suddenly  brought  back  to  the  cause  of  her 
being  there.  "  Think  you  the  palefaces  will  not  send 
other  men  against  you?  Shall  not  the  great  ships 
with  white  sails  bring  others  to  be  thy  enemies?  In 
their  far  cities  they  are  as  many  as  the  ants  in  their 
hills.  After  these  will  come  still  others,  if  it  Is  need- 
ful.    Think,  O  my  father,  what  is  to  be  the  end?  " 

'*  Nay,  my  daughter,  the  time  has  passed  for 
thinking,"  the  Sachem  answered.  *'  I  go  to  paint 
my  face,  and  when  that  is  done  thy  white  companions 
shall  die!  "  He  made  a  movement  as  If  to  leave 
her,  but  Annetje  held  up  her  hand. 

"Not  yet!  Not  yet!  O  my  father!"  the  girl 
cried.  "  'TIs  to  save  thee  that  I  am  here.  If  the 
red  men  and  the  white  are  ever  to  be  brothers  this 
battle  must  not  take  place." 

The  tall  Indian  lifted  up  his  hand  for  silence,  but 
Annetje  shook  her  head  and  went  on. 

"  Nay,  listen,  O  my  father.  'TIs  thy  daughter 
who  speaks  out  of  a  heart  that  has  never  forgotten 
the  debt  she  owes  thee  and  the  tribe  that  watched 
over  her  from  babyhood.     I  tell  thee  that  if  the 


196  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

braves  are  loosed  upon  that  company  of  palefaces 
naught  will  stay  the  Great  White  Chief  until  thou 
and  all  thy  tribe  are  dead." 

''  What  knowest  thou  of  the  Great  White  Chief  ?  " 
demanded  the  Sachem,  impressed  by  her  earnestness. 

"  I  know  what  is  in  his  thought  about  this  matter, 

0  my  father,"  Annetje  answered.  "  He  would  be 
friends  with  all  the  red  men." 

"Nay,  nay!  "  cried  the  Sachem.  "That  talk  is 
like  the  babbling  of  the  swollen  stream.  His  people 
kill  us  when  they  are  so  minded  and  laugh  when  we 
ask  that  the  blood  debt  be  paid.  The  palefaces 
steal  our  lands.  Our  hunting  grounds  are  turned 
into  ploughed  fields.  The  red  man  is  being  driven 
out  of  the  home  of  his  fathers.  We  have  been  op- 
pressed until  we  must  strike  or  die.  This  time  the 
blow  shall  be  hard,  O  daughter!  " 

"  Nay,  I  tell  thee  the  Great  White  Chief  would 
have  speech  with  thee,  to  the  end  that  this  killing 
cease!  "  exclaimed  Annetje.     "  Listen,  O  my  father, 

1  am  here  in  his  stead.  Out  of  my  mouth  the  Great 
White  Chief  speaks  to  thee.  Wilt  thou  not  hear 
what  he  is  minded  to  say?  " 

For  an  instant  the  Sachem  hesitated,  then  shook 
his  head,  laughing  scornfully. 

"  I  know  not  what  is  in  my  daughter's  thoughts," 
he  said,  "  but  how  can  I  believe  that  the  Great  White 
Chief  has  sent  a  child  to  talk  to  me?  " 

*'  By  this  sign,"  answered  Annetje,  and  drew  the 
red  seal  out  of  her  bosom,  holding  it  toward  him  in 
her  hand. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

HER    WHITE    MANITOU 

THE  Sachem  gazed  for  a  full  minute  at  the  disk 
of  wax  held  out  toward  him  on  the  palm  of 
Annetje's  hand.  Then  he  straightened  to  his 
full  height. 

*'  It  is  a  sign,"  he  said.  "  What  would  the  Great 
Chief  tell  the  Sachem  through  the  lips  of  his  daugh- 
ter?'^ 

"  That  blood  cannot  be  washed  out  with  blood, 
O  my  father,"  Annetje  answered,  then  breathlessly 
she  told  him  of  her  talk  with  Peter  Stuyvesant  and 
of  his  willingness  to  go  as  far  as  he  could  to  make 
the  punishment  for  the  Wiltwyck  massacre  a  light 
one.  That,  given  time,  a  parley  could  be  arranged 
and  the  fighting  expedition  recalled. 

"  He  but  asks  that  the  hot  heads  on  both  sides 
be  given  a  chance  to  cool,"  Annetje  went  on.  *'  As 
thy  braves  think  naught  of  the  future,  so  it  is  with 
these  palefaces.  They  answer  one  kiUing  with  an- 
other, and  the  innocent  suffer  with  the  guilty.  Let 
us  have  no  battle,  O  my  father.  Give  back  the 
prisoners,  then  will  the  hour  come  when  thou  and 
the  other  great  chief  can  talk  together  and,  as  wise 
men,  mark  a  broad  path  on  which  thy  people  and 
his  may  walk  side  by  side.  I  have  read  the  heart 
of  the  Great  White  Chief,  and  I  know  that  he  will 
give  the  red  man  justice.  Stay  thy  hand  now  and 
the  day  will  soon  come  when  the  hatchet  will  be 
buried  deep;  but  if  the  arrow  is  loosed  from  the 

197 


198  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

bow  and  the  scalping-knife  torn  from  its  sheath, 
then  must  the  war  go  on.  And  in  the  end  thy  peo- 
ple, O  my  father,  will  be  a  tribe  no  longer,  but  scat- 
tered wanderers  upon  the  land  with  no  hunting 
ground  to  call  their  own  I  Think  well,  O  my  father. 
Thy  daughter  speaks  out  of  love  for  thee,  who 
sheltered  her  when  she  was  a  helpless  babe.'^ 

For  a  long  time  there  was  silence  in  the  great 
lodge  as  the  Sachem,  bowed  in  thought,  considered 
the  matter.  From  outside  came  the  booming  of  the 
drums  and  the  fierce  cries  of  the  warriors  still 
dancing  about  the  fires.  Annetje  watched  for  some 
change  in  the  stern  face  by  which  she  might  read 
the  outcome;  but  there  was  no  hint  of  it  in  that 
impassive  countenance. 

At  last  he  lifted  his  head  and  spoke. 

"  There  is  much  wisdom  in  thy  words,  O  my 
daughter,"  he  began.  *'  Fault  has  there  been  upon 
both  sides,  but  as  the  Great  White  Chief  has  not 
the  power  to  stay  the  hot  heads  of  his  people,  so 
am  I  without  the  might  to  hold  back  the  hand  of 
the  red  man.  I  would  fain  have  stopped  this  mas- 
sacre, but  the  palefaces,  for  their  own  ends,  ply 
the  young  warriors  with  fire-water  till  naught  can 
control  them.  So  now  is  the  die  cast!  This  com- 
pany that  has  come  against  my  people  have  been 
tricked  to  their  death.  Thinkest  thou,  O  my  daugh- 
ter, that  a  paleface  squaw  could  escape  us  in  the 
forest  an  we  wished  to  hold  her?  Nay,  we  laughed 
at  her  going,  knowing  that  those  she  sent  would 
be  led  into  a  trap.  Should  the  Indians  not  spring 
that  trap  now  that  their  enemies  are  within  it? 
Would  thy  paleface  brothers  spare  us?  Speak,  O 
my  daughter." 

"  Nay,  I  think  that  the  palefaces  would  not  spare 
thee,  O  my  father,"  Annetje  answered.     "  There  is 


Her  White  Manitou  199 

no  difference  between  the  white  man  and  the  red 
when  their  anger  is  stirred.  But  if  the  leaders  have 
no  more  wisdom  than  their  warriors  why  then  should 
they  be  Sachems?  This  I  tell  thee,  O  my  father, 
the  Great  White  Chief,  were  he  the  dweller  in  thy 
wigwam,  would  say  to  himself  that  from  one  sun's 
rising  to  another  is  but  a  moment  in  the  years;  that 
from  moon  to  moon  is  but  a  little  day  in  the  life 
of  the  tribe;  that  any  can  see  those  things  that  are 
near  to  them;  but  that  out  of  many  men  there  are 
few  whose  sight  is  like  the  eagle's.  The  White 
Chief  would  forget  the  past,  O  my  father.  The 
present  he  would  have  foreseen,  and  his  gaze  would 
be  set  upon  the  future.  He  would  not  strive  to 
shake  the  fruit  from  a  branch  because  it  was  in  easy 
reach  without  looking  for  the  thorns  that  might 
poison  his  hand  when  it  was  too  late  to  loose  his 
hold.  Such  is  my  answer,  O  my  father.  It  needs 
not  thy  wisdom  to  make  this  parable  plain." 

Again  there  was  a  long  silence  and  once  more 
Annetje  listened  anxiously  to  the  throbbing  war 
drums  and  the  menacing  cries  without.  That  the 
Sachem  had  hinted  that  he  was  of  her  way  of  think- 
ing, gave  her  a  basis  for  hope,  but  she  knew  well 
enough  that  the  tribe  were  in  no  mood  to  hear  reason 
and  that  each  minute  Increased  their  frenzy.  It 
would  be  no  light  matter  to  gain  their  consent  to 
give  up  the  triumph  they  had  planned.  Annetje 
feared  the  outcome.  The  confidence  she  had  felt 
that  all  would  be  well  if  she  could  but  have  speech 
with  the  Sachem  In  time,  had  vanished.  She  thought 
of  the  white  expedition,  secure  In  their  Ignorance  of 
the  true  situation,  and  trembled  lest  her  feeble  words 
should  avail  naught. 

Suddenly  the  Sachem  raised  his  hand  and  pointed 
toward  the  door  of  an  inner  room. 


200  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

'*  One  waits  thee  there,  O  my  daughter,"  he  said. 
*'  I  go  to  the  council  fire." 

"But  —  but — ,"  Annetje  could  not  frame  the 
question,  yet  the  savage  understood. 

*'  The  Sachem  is  not  ready  to  paint  his  face,"  he 
answered,  and  strode  out  of  the  lodge. 

At  least  the  signal  for  war  would  not  be  given  at 
once,  and  Annetje  breathed  a  sigh  of  relief.  A 
moment  later  the  drums  ceased  their  beating,  and 
the  girl  moved  toward  the  mat  hanging  motionless 
on  the  far  side  of  the  chamber,  knowing  well  whom 
she  would  find  upon  the  other  side. 

As  she  raised  it  a  low  cry  of  joy  filled  her  ears, 
and  the  newly  awakened  love  in  her  heart  went  out 
to  the  figure  standing  with  outstretched  arms  just 
within  the  threshold. 

"  Annet!  My  little  Annet!  "  came  the  crooning 
call,  and  the  next  moment  the  girl  was  in  the  arms 
of  the  Indian  woman  who  had  cherished  her  as  her 
own. 

"My  mother!  O  my  mother!"  Annetje  an- 
swered, and  the  tears  fell  fast  as  the  two  clasped 
each  other  In  a  silent  embrace. 

Presently  the  woman  dried  her  eyes  and  holding 
the  girl  before  her  looked  at  her  long  and  lovingly. 

"  Tall  hast  thou  grown  and  like  the  lily,  O  my 
daughter,"  she  murmured,  a  smile  of  pride  coming 
Into  her  wrinkled  brown  face.  "  Those  who 
guarded  thee,  have  told  that  thou  wert  a  maid  fair 
to  look  upon,  but  I  longed  to  see  thee  with  these 
two  eyes.  Thou  wert  but  the  height  of  a  low  bush 
when  we  were  left  to  mourn.  Now  thou  art  like 
the  young  poplar  tree,  smooth  and  straight.  'Tis 
good  to  see  thee,  O  my  daughter." 

"  I  longed  for  thee,  my  mother,"  Annetje  said. 


Her  White  Manltou  201 

"  I  would  have  come  to  thee  but  that  I  had  my  duties 
and  my  place  was  there." 

"  I  know,"  agreed  the  squaw. 

"  The  Sachem  wondered  if  I  still  loved  thee  and 
there  was  a  hint  of  blame  in  his  voice,"  Annetje 
went  on.  "  I  could  not  come  before  and  even  now 
I  must  go  back.  But  always  hast  thou  a  place  deep 
in  my  heart  and  never  do  I  forget  thee.  Thou 
knowest?  " 

"  The  Sachem  is  a  man,"  the  woman  answered. 
*'  'Tis  only  given  to  them  to  comprehend  that  which 
they  may  see  or  hear  or  touch.  With  us  is  It  dif- 
ferent. I  needed  not  that  thou  shouldst  say  '  I  love 
thee.'  I  had  but  to  close  my  eyes  to  feel  thy  tiny 
arms  about  my  neck  and  even  though  thou  wert  a 
moon's  journey  from  me,  yet  could  I  hear  thee  speak 
sweet  words  into  my  ear.  I  have  had  a  great  de- 
sire to  hold  thee  close  once  more.  To  see  thee  with 
my  eyes.  To  hear  thy  voice  again.  But,  O  my 
daughter,  there  is  that  between  thee  and  me  which  no 
words  can  express." 

They  talked  thus  for  a  time,  seated  upon  a  pile 
of  skins  and  now  and  then  patting  each  other's  hands 
to  show  their  affection. 

**  Tell  me,  my  mother,"  said  Annetje,  ''  why  didst 
thou  call  me  Annet?     It  is  no  Indian  name." 

**  Thus  didst  thou  call  thyself,"  was  the  answer. 
*'  We  tried  to  charm  thee  with  others  of  our  tongue, 
but  it  was  as  If  thou  didst  not  hear.  It  must  have 
been  thy  name  In  that  life  before  we  found  thee." 

**  Aye,  that  must  be  it,"  replied  Annetje  thought- 
fully. '*  But,  O  my  mother,  I  would  know  more  of 
that  life.  How  came  I  to  thee?  Who  brought  me 
to  thy  wigwam?  " 

"  None  brought  thee,  my  daughter.     The  Great 


202  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

Spirit  led  me  to  where  thou  wert  hidden,"  answered 
tne  Indian  woman  reverently. 

"  Tell  me  more,  my  mother,"  Annetje  begged. 
"  I  would  learn  from  whence  I  came." 

'^  Ah,  that  I  know  not,"  was  the  answer,  and  when 
Annetje  would  have  spoken,  the  squaw  held  up  her 
hand  for  silence.  ''  Listen,"  she  went  on,  her  voice 
dropping  to  a  low  murmur,  "  in  that  time  when  the 
blood  of  youth  ran  swiftly  through  my  veins  and 
I  held  my  head  proudly  as  a  princess  of  the  tribe, 
the  Sachem  and  thy  mother  were  united  and  the 
Great  Spirit  gave  us  a  papoose.  Then  was  the  heart 
of  the  Sachem  made  glad  and  thy  mother  lifted  up 
her  voice  in  thankfulness,  vowing  that  her  life  would 
but  serve  her  babe  till  it  grew  to  be  a  warrior.  But 
alas,  where  is  the  man  who  can  gaze  into  the  future? 
We  had  scarce  had  our  treasure  the  time  of  two 
moons  when  the  Great  Spirit  called  it  home.  How 
I  had  offended  I  know  not,  and  so  sad  was  my  heart 
that  I  was  like  to  have  gone  after  it.  But  on  the 
day  we  left  the  little  body,  hidden  beside  the  path 
in  the  deep  forest,  and  with  faltering  steps  were 
taking  our  journey  back  to  the  village,  we  heard  a 
low,  faint  cry  scarce  louder  than  the  weak  whine 
of  a  fox  cub.  The  Sachem  said  it  was  an  animal 
dying  in  the  thicket,  but  I  stopped,  for  the  sound 
of  it  gripped  my  heart.  '  Nay,  'tis  a  human  cry,' 
I  told  him,  and  we  halted,  listening.  Again  came 
the  feeble  wail,  so  that  we  set  to  searching  and  in 
a  moment  stumbled  upon  a  woman,  dead.  On  her 
bosom  wert  thou,  nigh  to  the  end  of  thy  little  life 
from  starvation.  I  was  quick  to  lift  thee  up  and 
feed  thee,  and  as  I  held  thee  in  my  arms  the  Great 
Spirit  whispered  in  my  ear  that  here  was  one  to 
take  the  place  of  the  babe  I  had  lost.  Thus  thou 
didst  come  to  me,  my  daughter,  and  grew  to  be  the 


Her  White  Manitou  203 

precious  treasure  of  our  tribe,  for  'twas  said  among 
us  that  one  who  could  live  while  the  strong  woman 
who  carried  thee  died,  must  indeed  be  destined  for 
great  things  and  not  altogether  of  this  world." 

"And  that  woman  who  died?"  asked  Annetje, 
half  fearfully.     "  Was  she  my  real  mother?  " 

"  Nay,  she  was  such  an  one  as  I  have  never  seen," 
said  the  Indian.  "  She  was  not  of  any  tribe  we  know 
nor  was  she  a  paleface.     Her  skin  was  black." 

*' Black  I"  cried  Annetje.  *' Was  she  then  a 
slave?" 

"  Naught  more  can  I  tell  thee,"  was  the  answer. 
"  Her  lire  had  fled,  and  there  was  naught  upon  her 
to  tell  from  whence  she  came  or  whither  she  was 
going." 

"And  was  there  no  mark  upon  me?  No  chain 
nor  ring?"  Annetje  asked  anxiously. 

"  Thy  little  garments  were  in  rags,"  the  squaw 
explained.  "  Thorn  and  briars  had  torn  them  into 
shreds  and  thy  little  dress,  pale  as  a  blossom,  was 
soiled.  One  thing  only  did  I  find  and  that  but  a 
piece  of  needlework  upon  a  tiny  shirt  worn  under- 
neath thy  jacket.  To  my  thinking  it  was  a  sign  that 
went  with  thee,  and  so  I  worked  it  upon  all  thy 
skin  suits,  hiding  it  somewhat  among  the  beads  for 
it  was  in  no  manner  like  work  of  our  tribe  and  thy 
father  might  not  have  been  pleased  to  be  reminded 
that  thou  wert  of  another  race.  In  a  little  we 
stained  thy  face  richly,  meaning  to  keep  thee  for  all 
thy  life  and  ours,  but  it  was  not  to  be,  my  daughter, 
and  when  men  came  hunting  for  their  treasure  we 
knew  it  was  thou  they  sought  and,  for  the  love  we 
bore  thee,  gave  thee  up." 

For  a  moment  or  two  Annetje  was  thoughtful, 
pondering  over  the  story  she  had  just  heard,  then  she 
spoke  most  seriously. 


204  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

''  Listen,  O  my  mother.  Thy  daughter  loves  thee 
and  always  will,  but  she  would  know  who  were  her 
real  parents  and  what  her  rightful  name?  To  what 
country  she  belongs  and  who  are  her  people?  Canst 
thou  not  think  now  of  something  thou  hast  forgotten 
that  may  show  the  trail?  " 

"  Nay,"  the  squaw  answered,  "  thy  Indian  mother 
can  tell  thee  naught  more.  'Tis  the  word  I  sent  thee 
by  the  paleface  who  but  lately  came  to  us  from 
thee." 

''  Came  from  me?  "  Annetje  repeated,  not  under- 
standing. "  No  paleface  came  from  me,  O  my 
mother." 

"  Nay,  my  daughter  has  forgotten,"  Insisted  the 
Indian  woman.  "  Didst  thou  not  call  a  brave  who 
guarded  thee  and  command  that  he  should  lead  one 
to  us?  The  paleface  came,  saying  that  he  was  sent 
upon  a  mission  from  thee,  and  we  received  him." 

"The  pedlar!"  exclaimed  Annetje.  "Said  he 
that  I  sent  him?  " 

"  He  did,  my  daughter,"  was  the  answer. 

"And  what  wanted  he?"  Annetje  demanded. 

"  This  story  I  have  just  told  thee,"  the  squaw 
replied.  "  He  would  know  from  whence  thou 
camest;  what  marks  were  upon  thee;  all  the  circum- 
stances of  our  finding  thee  and  plagued  me  with  a 
thousand  questions.  Had  he  not  spoken  In  thy  name 
I  think  he  would  not  have  returned  to  the  village 
of  the  palefaces,  for  the  tribe  was  angry  and  nigh 
upon  the  war-path.  But  I  could  tell  him  naught 
save  that  from  the  rags  of  thy  garments  I  had  cut 
the  mark  and  sewn  It  between  the  Inner  and  outer 
skins  of  thy  first  little  suit  of  soft  leather." 

"  In  what  part  of  the  suit,  O  my  mother?  "  An- 
netje asked  breathlessly.  After  all  here  was  some- 
thing of  the  past.     But  a  scrap  to  be  sure  but  some- 


Her  White  Manitou  205 

thing  tangible,  and  already  she  planned  to  look  for 
it  the  moment  she  arrived  again  in  Nieuw  Amster- 
dam. 

"  'Twas  placed  over  thy  heart,  O  my  daughter," 
the  woman  answered.  "  It  was  a  strange  mark  to 
my  eyes  and  I  thought  the  manitou  of  thy  people 
might  be  glad  if  it  were  near  the  centre  of  thy  life.'* 

"  And  now  about  this  man  who  came?  "  Annetje 
inquired  after  a  moment's  thought.  "  He  told  me 
he  wished  to  trade.  Did  he  bring  fire-water  to  the 
young  braves?  " 

"  Nay,  my  daughter.  Save  that  he  believed  not 
what  I  told  him  but  would  ask  again  and  yet  again 
the  same  question,  he  acted  fittingly, —  though  'tis 
true  I  liked  not  his  eyes,"  the  squaw  added. 

"  He  had  naught  to  do  with  this  uprising  against 
Wiltwyck?"  Annetje  insisted. 

"  Nay,"  said  the  Indian  woman  positively. 
"  The  oachem  grieved  in  his  heart  for  that  bloody 
deed  and,  had  that  paleface  had  aught  to  do  with 
it,  his  life  would  have  paid  the  forfeit." 

This  news  of  the  pedlar  brought  a  sudden  change 
In  Annetje's  feelings  toward  the  man.  She  had  ac- 
cused him  falsely,  and  to  make  amends,  resolved 
in  the  future  to  lay  aside  her  suspicions  of  his  mo- 
tives, after  which  she  dismissed  him  from  her  mind. 

There  were  many  questions  on  the  tip  of  her 
tongue  that  only  her  Indian  mother  could  answer, 
but  ere  the  hau  were  asked,  they  were  interrupted 
by  a  brave  who  pushed  by  the  mat  and  stood  before 
them. 

"  The  Sachem  would  have  the  White  Blossom 
come  to  the  council  fire,"  he  announced,  and  Annetje 
rose  to  follow  him. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

WHITE    BLOSSOMS 

A  NNETJE  found  the  elders  of  the  tribe  seated 
l\  in  a  semicircle  about  the  council  fire.  Behind 
jL  Jl  them,  rank  upon  rank,  stood  the  younger 
braves  all  hideously  painted  with  black  and  yellow 
stripes.  Save  for  the  crackling  of  the  burning  wood 
no  sound  broke  the  stillness,  and  the  ominous  quiet 
seemed  to  foretell  disaster.  The  breathless  air,  the 
feverish  heat  of  the  shimmering  sun  and  the  strange 
immobility  of  the  trees  upon  which  no  leaf  stirred, 
brought  an  anxious  throb  to  the  heart  as  if  all  na- 
ture awaited  the  moment  to  strike.  So  also  was  it 
with  the  Indians.  Motionless  they  stood,  ready  for 
the  signal  that  would  let  loose  all  the  pent-up  ferocity 
they  hid  behind  a  calm  and  impassive  demeanour. 
Only  their  eyes  burned  fiercely  and  the  girl  shud- 
dered as  she  stood  before  them,  realizing  upon  how 
slender  a  thread  hung  the  issues  of  life  and  death. 

"  The  White  Blossom  has  come,  O  Sachem,"  she 
announced,  holding  up  her  head  proudly  and  facing 
them  all  with  as  proud  a  mien  as  she  could  muster. 
Her  Instinct  told  her  that  only  by  a  brave  front  could 
she  accomplish  anything. 

"  The  council  would  see  the  sign  from  the  Great 
White  Chief,  O  daughter,"  the  Sachem  answered. 
"  There  be  those  who  doubt  that  he  would  speak 
through  the  lips  of  a  child." 

With  intentional  deliberation  Annetje  drew  the 
seal  from  her  bosom  and  held  it  high. 

206 


White  Blossoms  207 

"  Look,  O  warriors  of  the  Algonklns !  "  she  cried, 
lifting  her  voice  so  that  it  might  carry  to  the  farthest 
brave.  "  The  chief  of  the  palefaces  has  given  to 
the  White  Princess  this  token  of  his  trust  so  that  her 
people  shall  know  that  she  speaks  in  his  name. 
Look  well,  O  brothers !     Look  well !  " 

There  was  a  slight  movement  in  the  throng  as 
they  moved  forward  but  In  a  moment  it  had  ceased 
and,  all  was  motionless  as  before.  After  a  long 
silence  the  Sachem  spoke. 

"  Thy  father  has  told  the  Esopus  the  message 
thou  hast  brought,  O  my  daughter,"  he  said.  "  The 
words  have  sunk  into  our  hearts,  yet  Is  the  future 
like  a  muddy  spring.  Who  can  see  deep  enough 
to  tell  what  lies  at  the  bottom  of  thy  coming?  Let 
another  speak  that  all  may  know  that  none  is  denied 
his  full  rights  at  the  council  fire." 

Scarce  had  he  finished  when  a  young,  eager  war- 
rior with  burning  eyes  leaped  to  his  feet. 

*'  Give  ear,  O  braves  of  the  Esopus,"  he  half 
chanted.  "  Shall  a  river  of  words  make  a  mock  of 
us?  Must  our  wrongs  be  repeated  again  and  again 
ere  the  blood  of  our  warriors  is  warmed  to  the 
work  that  lies  at  our  hands  to  do?  Are  we  become 
as  the  frightened  rabbit  that  runs  at  the  rustling  of 
the  rusty  leaves?  Shall  a  paleface  maiden  snatch 
from  our  grasp  the  bow  already  bent  or  break  the 
arrows  already  pointed  at  the  breasts  of  our  en- 
emies? There  is  a  blood  debt  to  be  paid,  O  my 
brothers,  and  my  manltou  bids  me  strike  I  So  shall 
my  feet  be  set  upon  the  warpath  till  the  Great  Spirit 
stays  my  hand.      I  have  spoken !  " 

He  sat  down  and  a  movement  among  the  silent 
throng  was  plain  evidence  that  he  voiced  the  feelings 
of  many.  Annetje's  heart  sank  as  she  looked  from 
one  impassive   face  to  another  seeking  any  whose 


2o8  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

expression  might  give  her  encouragement  to  hope. 

Opposite  the  Sachem  there  was  seated  an  old 
chieftain  and  of  all  in  the  semicircle  he  alone  held 
in  his  hand  a  naked  tomahawk.  His  eyes  were 
fixed  upon  the  fire  and  he  stared  into  the  glowing 
coals  as  if  to  read  there  the  answer  to  the  questions 
that  perplexed  him.  Presently  he  rose  to  speak  and 
gazed  straight  at  Annetje. 

"  O  white  princess,"  he  began  in  a  deep  voice, 
"  thou  hast  come  back  to  the  tribe  after  many  moons 
have  passed.  Seasons  of  blossom  and  seasons  of 
snow  alike  have  come  and  gone  many,  many  times 
and  the  Esopus  have  not  seen  thee.  All  thy  mo- 
ments have  been  spent  among  the  palefaces  whose 
tongues  are  forked  and  whose  hands  are  outstretched 
to  take  from  us  that  which  the  Great  Spirit  gave 
to  our  forefathers.  Tell  me,  O  White  Princess,  is 
thy  heart  with  the  tribe  or  with  the  palefaces?  " 

He  stopped  suddenly  and  his  last  words  seemed 
to  echo  softly  through  the  hushed  air. 

"  Listen,  O  my  red  brothers,"  Annetje  cried  in 
ringing  tones,  "  the  heart  of  thy  white  princess  is 
with  her  tribe.  Never  has  it  strayed  from  those 
who  guided  her  feeble  steps  when  she  was  a  weak 
papoose.  She  has  had  no  mother  but  the  one  whose 
wigwam  she  shared.  No  other  father  has  she  had 
save  he  who  is  thy  Sachem.  Yet  has  thy  princess 
an  understanding  of  the  palefaces.  Their  ways  are 
known  to  her.  She  can  read  what  is  in  their  minds. 
And  because  she  is  neither  one  nor  the  other  but 
both,  therefore  is  it  that  thy  princess  would  make 
peace  between  you,  seeing  that  in  her  is  united  the 
love  for  one  and  the  understanding  of  the  other." 

"  But  the  path  to  that  peace  Is  twisted,"  the  old 
chief  answered.  "  The  princess  would  have  us  stay 
our  hands  when  each  arm  is  ready  to  strike  and  the 


White  Blossoms  209 

end  IS  sure.  Never  again  may  so  many  palefaces 
be  at  our  mercy.  There  be  those  who  say  that  if 
we  loose  the  arrow  the  hearts  of  our  enemies  will 
be  turned  to  water  and  they  will  cease  to  trouble  us." 

"  Nay,"  Annetje  replied,  "  he  who  counsels  thus 
knows  them  not.  The  White  Chieftain  Is  no 
woman.  Again  and  yet  again  will  he  send  his  peo- 
ple against  you,  and  the  end  is  sure." 

"What  then  would  the  princess  have  us  do?" 
came  the  next  question  after  a  period  of  silence. 

"  Go  to  the  north  as  the  swallows  fly,"  answered 
Annetje.  "  Give  up  the  prisoners,  and  if  the  pale- 
faces still  follow,  go  again  north,  till  a  day  comes 
when  their  blood  is  cooled  and  they  relinquish  the 
chase.  After  that  will  come  the  parleys  and  the 
Great  White  Chief  will  remember  that  when  the 
tribe  might  have  put  their  enemies  to  death  they 
held  back  their  tomahawks." 

"  But  the  prisoners  are  far  away  with  the  squaws 
and  papooses,"  the  Sachem  put  in. 

"  Let  them  be  liberated  as  soon  as  may  be,"  An- 
netje replied.  "  It  is  needful  now  to  avoid  battle, 
so  that  no  more  anger  be  stirred  in  the  hearts  of  all. 
O  my  red  brothers,"  she  went  on,  appealing  to  the 
whole  company,  "  it  is  my  love  for  the  tribe  that 
cries  out  to  you.  The  White  Blossom  would  not 
have  you  scattered  to  the  four  winds,  as  will  surely 
come  to  pass  if  the  tribe  stay  not  their  hands  this 
day.  The  Sachem  has  told  you  of  the  message  from 
the  White  Chief,  and  I  say  to  you,  '  Trust  him  whose 
power  is  greater  than  that  of  many  chiefs.'  O  my 
brothers,  If  there  is  love  in  your  hearts  for  your 
white  princess,  if  you  have  not  forgotten  the  days 
when  she  dwelt  among  you  and  the  warmest  corner 
in  every  wigwam  was  hers,  give  heed  to  my  words, 
for  in  my  love  for  you  I  am  still  as  the  little  child 


2IO  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

the  Great  Spirit  entrusted  to  your  tender  care." 
She  ended,  standing  straight  and  tall  with  her  arms 
outstretched  to  them,  and  an  audible  murmur  arose 
from  the  closely  packed  ranks;  but  she  could  not 
tell  what  it  portended  and  in  an  instant  a  profound 
silence  settled  down  upon  them  once  more. 

Minute  after  minute  passed,  yet  none  spoke,  and 
gradually  the  eyes  of  all  shifted  until  they  were  upon 
the  old  warrior  opposite  the  Sachem.  'Twas  plain 
to  Annetjc  that  with  him  rested  the  decision,  and 
she,  too,  gazed  at  him,  waiting  for  the  word  that 
would  bring  joy  or  sorrow. 

Then,  as  if  an  unseen  hand  had  fanned  the  heated 
air,  a  breath  of  wind  stirred  the  trees  and  a  drift 
of  white  blossoms  fluttered  down  as  gently  as  might 
snow  flakes  sent  to  cool  the  anger  in  the  hearts  of 
those  about  the  council  fire. 

"  Her  manitou  has  spoken!  It  is  a  sign!  ''  cried 
the  ancient  chieftain,  and  with  marked  deliberation 
he  laid  his  tomahawk  upon  the  ground;  then  gath- 
ering a  handful  of  the  pale  flowers  he  dropped  them 
slowly  one  by  one  upon  the  gleaming  instrument  of 
death  until  tne  blade  was  hid.  He  had  buried  the 
hatchet  and  Annetje  knew  that  her  coming  had  not 
been  in  vain. 

On  the  instant  the  Sachem  rose  to  his  feet. 

"  We  go  to  the  north,  O  braves,"  he  cried,  and 
motioning  to  Annetje  to  follow,  he  strode  swiftly 
toward  the  great  lodge. 

Of  the  murmur  and  clamour  of  tongues  about  her 
the  girl  heard  nothing.  Her  heart  was  singing  for 
joy  and  she  moved  along  the  path  behind  the  Sachem, 
scarce  conscious  that  her  feet  touched  the  ground. 

While  she  was  yet  at  a  distance  from  the  lodge 
she  saw  three  figures  before  the  entrance.  Between 
two  guards  was  a  white  man,  bound  and  blindfolded. 


White  Blossoms  21 1 

With  a  pang  of  fear  she  recognized  that  the  captive 
was  Balthazar  Stuyvesant,  and  she  could  scarce  re- 
strain a  cry  of  dismay.  She  darted  forward,  intent 
upon  his  immediate  release,  but,  ere  she  reached  the 
spot,  the  Sachem  had  given  an  order  and  the  prisoner 
was  hurried  away. 

Not  until  she  came  to  the  inner  chamber  did  An- 
netje  overtake  the  chief  who  was  telling  his  squaw 
to  make  ready  for  immediate  departure. 

"  Thou  wilt  stay  with  thy  white  people,  O  my 
daughter?"  he  asked  as  she  entered. 

"  'Tis  there  my  duty  points,  my  father,"  she  re- 
plied. 

"  Then  our  farewells  must  be  short,"  he  broke 
In,  as  she  would  have  gone  on.  *'  A  storm  will 
come  and  we  must  be  far  from  here  to  find  shelter 
against  it.  The  white  soldiers  make  it  impossible 
for  us  to  remain  in  the  castle,  for  if  we  are  not  to 
strike  first  then  must  we  leave  in  all  haste." 

''  But,  my  father,"  Annetje  persisted,  *'  there  Is 
a  new  prisoner  in  this  camp.  He  must  be  released 
forthwith." 

"  That  cannot  be,"  replied  the  Sachem  sternly. 
*'  The  White  Blossom  can  be  left  here,  because  in  her 
heart  there  is  no  guile  and  the  paleface  warriors 
will  not  learn  from  her  which  way  her  people  have 
gone.  With  this  new  captive  it  is  different.  Him 
I  dare  not  trust  and  so  he  goes  with  us." 

*'  But  he  must  be  released,"  cried  Annetje.  **  He 
Is  the  son  of  the  Great  White  Chief,  O  my  father." 

*'  Is  he  so !  "  exclaimed  the  Sachem,  showing  his 
satisfaction  at  this  news.  "  Then  shall  he  be  held  as 
hostage,  until  those  things  which  thou  hast  promised 
us  shall  be  fulfilled." 

"Nay,  my  father — "  Annetje  began,  but  the 
Sachem  cut  her  short. 


212  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  'Twill  avail  naught  to  sue  further,"  he  insisted. 
"  At  her  bidding  scores  of  palefaces  have  been 
spared.  Is  that  not  enough  to  satisfy  my  daughter? 
Shall  the  Esopus  be  put  In  danger  for  one  paleface? 
Nay,  it  cannot  be.  Farewell,  my  White  Blossom. 
Thou  hast  done  a  great  service  to  thy  people  and 
It  shall  not  be  forgotten.  Farewell."  Without  an- 
other word  he  stalked  out  of  the  chamber  and  was 
gone  ere  Annetje  could  stay  him. 

"  O  my  mother,"  she  cried,  turning  to  the  Indian 
woman,  who  watched  her  with  loving  eyes.  *'  What 
shall  your  child  do  ?  They  have  taken  one  who  came 
but  to  protect  her,  and  she  cannot  help  him.  O  my 
mother,  thy  Annet's  heart  was  glad  that  there  would 
be  no  bloodshed.  Now  is  it  sad  again  for  she  fears 
what  may  happen  to  this  new  captive." 

"  Is  it  a  young  brave,  my  daughter?  "  asked  the 
squaw. 

"  Nay,  my  mother,  he  Is  naught  but  a  youth,  scarce 
older  than  thy  child,"  replied  Annetje,  her  voice 
breaking.  "  If  we  return  and  he  is  not  with  us  what 
can  I  say  to  the  Great  White  Chief?  Help  me,  my 
mother.     Is  there  no  way  that  we  can  set  him  free  ?  " 

"  He  will  be  upon  the  march  ere  thy  mother  can 
find  him,"  was  the  answer.  "  But  have  a  good 
courage.  The  squaw  of  the  Sachem  is  not  without 
power.  Soon  after  we  have  set  out  he  will  return 
to  thee." 

"O  my  mother!"  Annetje  exclaimed  joyfully, 
hugging  the  Indian  woman  in  ecstasy,  and  then,  her 
voice  falling,  "  but  I  have  forgotten  that  we  must 
part.  When  shall  we  see  each  other  again,  O  my 
mother?  " 

"  Who  can  tell?  "  was  the  reply,  ''  yet  am  I  of  a 
good  spirit  in  that  I  have  seen  thee  and  shall  carry 
away  the  knowledge  that  thou  hast  still  a  place  in 


White  Blossoms  213 

thy  heart  for  thy  Indian  mother.  Farewell,  my 
little  Annet.  I  must  leave  thee,  for  our  people  dare 
not  delay  and  I  would  not  hold  them  back." 

They  held  each  other  in  a  silent  embrace  for  a 
moment,  then  they  went  together  to  the  entrance  of 
the  lodge  where  a  sentry  stopped  them. 

''  The  command  has  been  given  that  the  white 
princess  remain  within  till  all  are  gone,"  he  said, 
and  Annetje  halted  at  the  door. 

"  O  my  mother,"  she  cried,  as  sudden  thought 
coming  to  her.  ^'  Canst  thou  take  a  message  to 
him?" 

With  a  nod  as  if  indeed  she  understood  all  that 
went  on  in  Annetje's  mind,  the  squaw  hastened  to  a 
white  birch  tree  and,  stripping  a  small  piece  of  the 
bark,  brought  it  back  to  the  girl,  finding  a  thorn  upon 
the  way. 

With  this  Annetje  scratched  the  following  mes- 
sage. 

'*  Come  back  to  the  castle.     Annetje." 

*'  Give  the  paleface  captive  that,  my  mother,"  she 
said,  handing  the  bit  of  bark  to  the  other;  "by  it 
he  will  know  that  I  await  him  here." 

''Has  he  indeed  touched  thy  heart,  Annet?" 
asked  the  Indian  woman  with  a  smile  upon  her  face, 
as  she  looked  lovingly  into  the  eyes  of  the  slender 
girl  beside  her. 

For  an  instant  Annetje  could  not  reply;  then  the 
soft  colour  mounting  to  her  brow,  she  answered  a 
question  that  It  had  never  occurred  to  her  to  ask 
herself. 

"  Yes,  my  mother,  he  has  touched  my  heart; 
though  indeed  I  did  not  know  It,  nor  does  he." 

*'  Thy  mother  read  it  In  thy  eyes,"  said  the  Indian 
woman,  and  with  another  close  embrace  they  parted. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

THE    WORD    OF   A   TRAITOR 

ALMOST  noiselessly  the  Indians  prepared  for 
/jL  their  departure  and  after  a  time,  Annetje, 
JL  JL  seated  within  the  great  chamber  of  the  lodge, 
became  aware,  she  scarce  knew  how,  that  they  had 
gone.  She  sat  listlessly  upon  the  pile  of  skins,  a 
little  weary  after  the  strain  she  had  been  through 
and  oppressed  by  a  feeling  of  impending  disaster. 
She  was  inclined  to  attribute  this  to  her  fear  lest 
something  should  happen  to  Balthazar;  but  in  reality 
her  misgivings  on  that  account  were  not  very  great. 
Annetje  was  confident  that  her  Indian  mother  would 
be  true  to  her  word  and  that  the  young  man  would 
be  released  ere  the  savages  were  long  upon  the  road. 
The  old  squaw  lacked  not  influence  with  the  Sachem, 
and  she  would  exercise  that  influence  to  set  Balthazar 
free  just  so  soon  as  all  danger  of  a  surprise  attack 
from  the  whites  was  past.  In  an  hour  or  two  she 
might  expect  him  back,  and  she  realized  that  here 
was  no  cause  for  the  dread  that  overwhelmed  her. 

An  irresistible  desire  for  the  open  seized  her,  as 
if  the  air  in  the  lodge  was  too  heavy  to  breathe,  and 
she  rose  and  hurried  out  of  the  place.  But  she 
found  no  relief  under  the  trees.  The  deathly  quiet 
still  held,  as  if  all  nature  awaited  some  dreadful 
happening. 

Annetje  looked  about  her  and  of  a  sudden  remem- 
bered the  words  of  the  Sachem.  A  storm  was  com- 
ing and  if  the  Indians  thought  it  needful  to  find 

214 


The  Word  of  a  Traitor  215 

shelter  against  its  fury,  then,  indeed,  was  It  like  to 
be  severe.  Her  first  thought  was  for  Balthazar, 
but  she  was  assured  that  he  would  be  back  at  the 
castle  ere  the  tempest  was  upon  him.  It  was  for 
the  white  expedition,  lightly  encamped  in  the  forest, 
that  she  felt  seriously  alarmed;  and  without  hesita- 
tion she  left  the  stockade  and  plunged  into  the  path- 
less woods.  She  meant  to  tell  them  that  the  wilden 
had  gone  and  lead  them  to  the  stronghold  where 
they  would  be  safe  against  the  coming  wind  and 
rain. 

Unerringly  Annetje  chose  the  stralghtest  path 
back  to  where  the  company  was  halted.  She  herself 
was  not  conscious  of  directing  her  steps,  it  was  as 
if  the  wood-lore,  learned  in  her  childhood  among 
the  Indians,  had  returned  to  her,  revived  by  these 
days  in  the  trackless  wilderness.  Without  pause 
she  hurried  on,  pushing  through  the  briars  that 
seemed  to  reach  out  to  hold  her  back,  aware  only 
of  the  great  need  for  haste.  Already  the  bright- 
ness of  the  sky  was  dimmed,  but  the  heat  was  still 
intense  and  as  yet  no  breeze  stirred  the  drooping 
leaves. 

When  she  reached  the  camp,  darkness  was  falling 
fast,  though  the  sun  was  yet  an  hour  above  its  set- 
ting. She  avoided  a  sentry  and  took  her  way  direct 
to  Martin  Cregier. 

"  I  have  come,  Mynheer  Kapitein,  to  lead  our 
company  to  the  Indian  castle  ere  the  storm  breaks,'* 
she  panted  as  she  reached  his  side.  "  We  have  need 
to  hasten  if  we  would  arrive  In  time." 

''Softly!  Softly!"  he  answered  In  none  too 
pleasant  a  tone.  "  It  would  seem  that  this  expedi- 
tion is  in  your  keeping,  young  Meisje.  'Tis  not  so 
long  ago  that  word  came  to  us  from  you,  that  the 
savages  were  near  and  that  we  should  use  all  care 


2i6  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

against  attack.  Now  you  tell  us  they  are  gone. 
What  is  the  meaning  of  it?  " 

"  They  were  there  but  they  have  gone,"  Annetje 
answered.  "  There  will  be  time  to  explain  when 
we  find  shelter;  but  'tis  some  distance  and,  if  I  am 
not  mistaken,  a  tempest  will  soon  be  upon  us." 

As  if  to  emphasize  her  words  the  first  low,  moan- 
ing wind  stirred  the  tree-tops  and  a  deep  gloom 
began  to  steal  in  among  the  tall  trunks  as  a  scud  of 
swiftly  flying  cloud  shut  out  the  little  that  was  left 
of  the  fast-fading  light. 

"  I  think  the  girl's  advice  is  good,"  said  Pieter 
Van  Couwenhoeven,  who  among  others,  consulted 
with  the  leader. 

"  Art  sure  the  wilden  have  fled?  "  Cregier  asked, 
after  a  moment's  thought. 

**  Aye,"  Annetje  answered  readily,  "  I  was  there 
when  they  went." 

''  'Tis  passing  strange,"  the  captain  grunted. 
*'  But  we  can  await  your  story.  Go  to  Mevrouw 
Van  Imbroeck  and  help  her  on  the  march.  We 
strike  camp  at  once." 

Annetje  found  the  lady  In  any  but  a  pleasant 
frame  of  mind,  and  upon  the  news  that  the  Indians 
had  left  their  stronghold  her  anger  knew  no  bounds. 

*' Now  must  we  forego  their  punishment!"  she 
cried  out.  "  We  should  not  have  halted,  but  struck 
them  today  ere  they  knew  of  our  coming." 

"  They  were  well  aware  of  our  presence,  Mev- 
rouw Van  Imbroeck,"  Annetje  answered. 

*'  Nay,  that  I  do  not  believe,  Melsje,"  she  re- 
torted, and  then,  with  a  sudden  venemous  glance  at 
the  girl,  "  unless  some  one  told  them  I  "  she  ended 
significantly. 

*'  Nay,  they  had  no  need  to  be  told,"  Annetje 
replied  patiently.     *'  But  it  matters  not.     'Tis  need- 


The  Word  of  a  Traitor  217 

ful  now  that  we  make  ready  to  take  our  way  to  the 
castle." 

"  I  shall  not  budge,"  the  other  exclaimed,  but  as 
she  spoke  there  came  the  distant  roll  of  thunder 
echoing  through  the  forest,  and  her  anger  seemed 
to  cool  on  the  instant.  ''  Oh,  I  Hke  not  that  sound," 
she  whimpered.  "  I  have  been  fearful  of  lightning 
since  I  was  a  little  child.  Think  you  it  will  be  a 
bad  storm?  " 

''  I  have  no  doubt  of  It,  Mevrouw,"  Annetje  told 
her.  "  Already  it  is  gathering,  and  we  must  hasten 
or  it  will  overtake  us." 

"  Hurry  then  and  let  us  go,"  said  the  elder  woman, 
feverishly  preparing  for  departure. 

The  company  was  not  long  in  starting  upon  the 
journey  to  the  Indian  stronghold,  and  though  they 
followed  Annetje  at  as  good  a  pace  as  she  could 
set,  they  were  not  to  escape  unscathed. 

They  had  gone  scarce  half  the  distance  ere  the 
gloom  that  had  Increased  minute  by  minute  shut 
out  all  the  light  and  they  went  forward  in  wellnigh 
utter  darkness.  An  attempt  was  made  to  light 
torches,  but  the  ever-increasing  wind  blew  them  out 
as  fast  as  they  were  kindled  and  Annetje  pushed  on, 
guided  only  by  the  instinct  now  alive  in  her.  Nearer 
and  nearer  came  the  booming  of  the  thunder,  almost 
simultaneous  with  the  sharp,  glittering  flashes  of 
lightning,  which  illuminated  the  scene  for  an  instant, 
only  to  leave  a  denser  blackness  behind. 

And  always  the  gale  grew  greater,  until  the  giant 
trees  rocked  and  the  air  was  filled  with  flying  leaves 
and  broken  twigs.  Then  for  a  time  It  seemed  that 
the  climax  was  past,  but  after  a  momentary  lull  the 
storm  was  renewed  with  redoubled  violence. 

In  a  panic  the  company  struggled  forward,  blindly 
trusting  to  Annetje.     And  still  the  tumult  increased, 


21 8  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

till  presently  there  came  the  crashing  of  falling  trees 
to  increase  their  terrors.  Above,  the  hghtning 
hissed  and  crackled,  and  the  thunder  roared,  rocking 
the  very  ground  beneath  their  feet  till  it  seemed 
that  human  senses  could  endure  the  strain  no 
longer. 

Annetje,  panting  from  her  labours,  suddenly  be- 
gan to  wonoer  if  she  were  upon  the  right  path.  She 
had  a  feeling,  that  unless  she  had  gone  astray,  they 
should  have  arrived  at  the  castle  ere  this,  and  once 
the  doubt  assailed  her,  she  became  a  prey  to  a  host 
of  misgivings.  So  long  as  she  had  fougnt  her  way 
ahead,  counting  only  upon  her  instinct  to  direct  her 
she  had  not  questioned  her  ability  to  lead  the  party 
aright,  but  now  she  suddenly  halted,  not  knowing 
which  way  to  turn  and  trembling  as  a  full  realization 
of  the  storm's  fury  burst  upon  her. 

The  man  behind  came  close  and  shouted  in  her 
ear. 

*' Why  do  you  stop?" 

This  reached  her  in  a  hurried  whisper  as  if  the 
speaker  were  a  great  distance  away.  She  tried  to 
answer,  but  the  words  were  torn  from  her  lips  ere 
they  were  half  framed. 

"  What  did  you  say?  "  the  man  called  again,  but 
Annetje  shook  her  head  in  the  darkness  and  turned 
away  bewildered.  For  an  instant  she  was  ready  to 
give  up,  and  an  overwhelming  sense  of  helplessness 
mastered  her.  Then,  in  the  blaze  of  a  prolonged 
burst  of  lightning,  she  saw  the  gaping  entrance  to 
the  stockade  but  a  few  rods  ahead,  and  a  cry  of 
joy  escaped  her. 

Ten  minutes  later,  as  the  rain  came  pouring  down 
to  add  its  tattoo  to  the  pandemonium  about  them, 
the  last  of  the  company  round  shelter,  and  Annetje 
led  the  nigh  fainting  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  to 


The  Word  of  a  Traitor  219 

the  heap  of  skins  In  the  great  chamber  of  the  chief's 
lodge. 

The  leaders  of  the  company  soon  had  a  fire  burn- 
ing and  a  score  of  torches  and  candle-knots  lighted 
to  dispel  the  gloom,  for  even  the  bravest  longed  for 
the  sight  of  a  friend  to  cheer  him  after  so  dreadful 
an  experience. 

As  for  Annetje,  no  sooner  was  she  rid  of  one 
anxiety  than  another  assailed  her.  She  had  expected 
to  find  Balthazar  waiting  for  her  when  she  returned 
to  the  castle;  but  there  was  no  sign  of  him.  She 
tried  to  ease  her  mind  by  telling  herself  that  he 
was  no  doubt  In  one  of  the  wigwams  within  the 
enclosure,  but  she  felt  by  no  means  convinced. 

"  Perhaps  he  will  come  when  the  storm  abates," 
she  thought,  but  when,  at  length,  she  and  Mevrouw 
Van  Imbroeck  sought  the  Inner  chamber  for  the 
night  and  there  was  still  no  word  of  him,  she  could 
no  longer  hide  from  herself  the  fact  that  she  feared 
something  serious  had  occurred,  and  her  sleep  was 
but  fitful. 

The  morning  dawned  clear  and  bright,  and  with 
It  came  a  return  of  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck's  resent- 
ment at  the  failure  of  her  plan  to  trap  the  Indians. 
Scarcely  was  she  awake  before  she  began  to  upbraid 
Annetje  for  the  part  she  had  played,  and  accused 
her  roundly  of  warning  the  redskins  of  their  coming. 

*'  I  do  not  believe  the  savages  knew  we  were  near 
until  you  told  them,"  she  insisted,  and  Annetje, 
caring  not  to  deny  where  she  would  not  be  believed, 
held  her  tongue  until  she  was  dressed  and  then  went 
forth  from  the  lodge  to  seek  news  of  Balthazar. 
In  truth  she  cared  little  what  Mevrouw  Van  Im- 
broeck might  think  of  her.  She  could  not  under- 
stand the  woman's  thirst  for  vengeance,  and  her 
conscience  was  clear  in  all  that  she  had  done. 


220  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

But  of  Balthazar  she  found  no  trace.  None  of 
the  men  In  the  party  had  seen  aught  of  him,  and 
she  could  no  longer  find  an  encouraging  excuse  for 
his  absence.  Either  he  was  still  with  the  Indians 
or  he  had  lost  his  way  in  the  storm  and  perhaps 
perished.  Wishing  not  to  come  into  contact  with 
Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  while  her  heart  was  filled 
with  anxiety,  she  wandered  about  the  enclosure 
where  a  messenger  found  her  and  summoned  her 
to  attend  at  once  on  Martin  Cregier. 

He  and  Pieter  Couwenhoeven  were  with  Mev- 
rouw Van  Imbroeck  in  the  largest  room  and  by  the 
expression  of  their  faces  she  knew  that  their  business 
was  serious. 

"  Annetje  Pelgrom,"  Cregier  began,  '*  tell  us  your 
story.  And  I  warn  you,  let  us  have  the  plain  truth. 
It  seems  to  us  your  actions  are  in  need  of  much 
explanation.'' 

Annetje  recounted  her  experiences,  holding  back 
nothing  of  what  had  happened  from  the  time  she 
had  left  Balthazar,  save  how  she  had  persuaded  the 
Indians  to  stay  their  hands.  That  matter  was  be- 
tween herself  and  them,  and  to  no  one  but  the  Gov- 
ernor would  she  disclose  the  details. 

"  But  why  did  the  Mohickanders  go  away  If  they 
could  have  massacred  us  all?"  demanded  Cregier 
sceptically,  when  she  had  finished. 

"  They  went  because  I  asked  them  to,"  Annetje 
replied,  knowing  well  that  this  answer  would  scarce 
satisfy  any  one  of  her  auditors. 

*'  A  likely  tale,"  laughed  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck 
disagreeably. 

*'  You  would  scarce  have  us  believe  that,  girl," 
Pieter  Van  Couwenhoeven  growled.  "  Why  should 
they  listen  to  you?  " 

"  The  Esopus  Is  the  tribe  that  adopted  me  as  a 


The  Word  of  a  Traitor  221 

baby/'  Annetje  explained.  *'  The  Sachem  Is  as  a 
father  to  me  and  Indeed  all  love  me.  They  be- 
lieved when  I  told  them  It  was  best  not  to  kill  you, 
though  they  could  have  slain  every  member  of  our 
company." 

"  'TIs  beyond  reason  that  a  band  of  savages 
should  stay  their  hand  at  the  word  of  a  maid," 
Martin  Cregler  Insisted. 

"At  the  word  of  a  traitor,  you  should  say!" 
Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  broke  In  violently.  "  Here 
Is  the  true  explanation.  She  feared  for  her  foster 
parents,  and,  caring  naught  for  us,  ran  off  Into  the 
woods  to  warn  them  of  our  coming." 

"  I  cared  enough  to  guide  you  through  the  storm," 
Annetje  flashed  back  at  the  vindictive  woman.  "  I 
was  safe  here  when  the  tempest  was  brewing,  and 
might  have  remained  secure  against  all  accident." 

"  That  Is  not  here  or  there,"  Pieter  Van  Couwen- 
hoeven  cried.  "  I  agree  with  Mevrouw  Van  Im- 
broeck. This  girl  was  raised  among  the  Indians 
and  has  a  weak  spot  In  her  heart  for  them.  Seeing 
that  we  were  apt  to  exterminate  the  reptiles  she  gave 
them  word  of  our  coming.  'TIs  in  my  mind  that 
It  were  best  to  send  her  back  a  prisoner  with  a  report 
to  those  In  Wiltwyck.  They  will  find  a  way  to 
punish  her,  I  doubt  not." 

"  Aye,"  cried  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck,  *'  let  me 
go  back  with  her  and  tell  the  town  that,  but  for  her, 
we  would  have  rescued  their  wives  and  sisters  and 
children.  Let  me  tell  them  how  she  has  thwarted 
their  just  revenge  and  I  warrant  she  will  rue  the 
day  she  marred  our  plans." 

For  the  first  time  Annetje  began  to  see  how  seri- 
ous might  be  the  outcome  of  this  parley.  She  had 
counted  upon  Peter  Stuyvesant  to  judge  the  matter. 
To  the  people  of  the  Sopus,  half  mad  with  their 


222  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

sufferings,  she  could  look  for  no  mercy,  nor  would 
her  explanation  serve  her  there  any  more  than  here. 

*' Have  you  naught  to  say?"  demanded  Cregier 
brutally.  '*  Now  you  are  found  out  in  your  savage 
treachery,  have  you  not  the  grace  to  confess  and 
tell  us  you  are  sorry?  " 

*'  But  I  am  not  sorry,"  cried  Annetje.  "  Were 
it  to  be  done  again  I  would  do  it.  Aye,  a  hundred 
times.  I  tell  you  that  had  it  not  been  for  me  you 
would  all  have  been  dead  or  prisoners  by  now.'* 

''  That  I  do  not  believe,"  Cregier  roared  back. 

*'  Even  so,  it  is  the  truth,"  cried  a  new  voice,  and 
turning,  they  saw  that  Balthazar  Stuyvesant  had 
entered  the  room  unheard. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

BALTHAZAR   TAKES    HIS    LEAVE 

**TT^  were  more  fitting,  Martin  Cregier,  if  your 
I  words  expressed  the  gratitude  owed  Juffer  An- 
-■-  netje,"  Balthazar  cried  boldly,  as  he  strode  up 
to  the  little  group  and  took  his  place  beside  the 
girl.  It  was  plain  that  he  was  angry  and  he  took 
no  pains  to  hide  the  cause  of  it.  "  It  is  true,  as 
she  has  told  you,  that  we  were  as  good  as  dead 
men  had  she  not  pleaded  for  us.  The  wilden  out- 
numbered us  as  ten  to  one.  I  know  because  I  saw 
them.  Not  twenty  rods  from  our  camp  was  I  seized 
and  made  captive.  For  while  we  thought  ourselves 
secure  they  watched  us,  ready  to  strike  when  best 
suited  them.  What  right  have  you,  who  led  this 
company  into  a  trap,  to  doubt  what  the  Juffer  has 
told  you?" 

"  Her  story  seemed  scarce  possible,"  Cregier  re- 
torted, flushing  at  the  accusation  of  indifferent  lead- 
ership. *'  But  if  you  bear  out  her  tale  we  must 
perforce  believe  her  and  I  shall  do  her  full  justice 
in  my  report  to  his  High  Mightiness  the  Governor." 
*'  And  I  too  shall  write  to  the  Governor,"  Mev- 
rouw  Van  Imbroeck  cried.  ''  'Tis  plain  to  see  why 
the  young  Heer  Balthazar  defends  this  Melsje  and 
my  opinion  has  not  changed.  If  you  men,"  she 
went  on,  her  voice  rising  higher  and  higher  as  her 
passion  swayed  her,  ''  are  gulled  by  a  silly  tale  con- 
cocted by  this  boy  and  girl,  so  be  It.  I  tell  you 
flat  I  give  no  credence  to  It."  And  with  a  toss  of 
her  head  she  quitted  them  forthwith. 

223 


224  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

Martin  Cregier  and  Pieter  Van  Couwenhoeven 
exchanged  glances. 

"  I  think  this  expedition  will  be  better  served  if 
there  are  two  less  females  in  the  company,"  the 
latter  said  aside  to  his  friend  with  a  wry  smile. 

'*  Aye,"  agreed  Cregier,  and  aloud,  "  To  my  think- 
ing the  young  Heer  Balthazar  will  make  the  best 
leader  for  the  returning  party.  What  say  you, 
sir?  "  he  ended  with  a  glance  in  his  direction. 

"  To  my  thinking  it  were  best  that  the  entire 
expedition  return,  or  else  await  reinforcements," 
Balthazar  answered  calmly,  having  mastered  his 
sudden  anger. 

"  And  are  we  to  leave  the  captives  in  the  hands 
of  the  savages  and  do  naught  to  save  them?" 
Cregier  demanded. 

"  Nay,"  Annetje  said,  "  go  forward  upon  the  trail 
of  the  wilden  and,  if  you  offer  no  attack,  in  due  time 
all  the  prisoners  will  be  given  back  to  you.  They 
would  have  been  released  ere  this  had  they  been  in 
the  castle.     As  it  is,  you  need  not  fear  for  them." 

''  I  like  not  to  press  on  if,  as  you  say,  the  savages 
outnumber  us,"  Pieter  Van  Couwenhoeven  re- 
marked, addressing  Balthazar. 

"  It  seems  to  me,"  answered  the  young  man, 
"  that  it  would  be  wise  for  you  to  go  ahead  as  An- 
netje advises,  while  I  return  to  Nieuw  Amsterdam 
and  ask  my  father  to  send  you  reinforcements." 

'*  'Tis  good  advice  and  we  will  put  it  into  execu- 
tion at  once,"  Martin  Cregier  agreed.  "  As  to  you, 
Annetje  Pelgrom,  I  now  thank  you  for  leading  us 
here  last  night."  He  ended  this  cold  speech  with 
a  slight  bow,  and  with  his  companion  left  the  lodge. 

Annetje,  her  heart  eased  of  all  anxiety,  turned  a 
smiling  face  to  Balthazar. 

*'  What  happened  that  you  were  so  long  in  getting 


Balthazar  Takes  His  Leave  225 

back?"  she  asked.  "Did  you  receive  my  mes- 
sage? " 

'*  Yes,"  answered  Balthazar,  "  and  it  heartened 
me  more  than  I  can  tell  you.  But  it  was  not  until 
the  darkness  of  the  storm  came  upon  us  that  I  was 
released.  An  Indian  woman  made  it  plain  by  signs 
that  a  great  tempest  would  soon  break  and,  as  we 
passed,  pointed  out  a  small  cave.  Later  when  I 
was  free  I  found  that  cave,  as  I  think  she  meant 
I  should,  and  took  shelter  in  it,  but  the  night  was 
far  spent  ere  the  wind  subsided  and  I  thought  it 
best  to  await  the  light  before  trying  to  retrace  my 
steps." 

"  That  Indian  woman  was  my  foster  mother," 
said  Annetje  after  a  moment. 

"  I  guessed  that,"  answered  Balthazar.  *'  She 
had  a  look  in  her  eyes  as  if  she  yearned  to  tell  me 
something,  but  I  could  not  read  the  meaning  of  it." 

There  was  much  more  to  talk  over,  but  they  soon 
found  that  no  time  was  to  be  lost  in  starting  them 
upon  their  way.  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  seemed 
as  impatient  to  be  off  as  she  had  been  to  seek  the 
Indians  and  the  two  leaders  of  the  expedition  were 
plainly  anxious  to  have  matters  wholly  in  their  own 
hands. 

Annetje,  having  accomplished  all  that  she  had 
come  to  do,  was  ready  enough  to  depart,  and  in  a 
little  while  the  small  party  took  leave  of  those  in 
the  castle  and  started  upon  the  trip  back  to  Wilt- 
wyck  with  little  regret  upon  either  side. 

There  were  no  untoward  incidents  to  halt  their 
progress,  and  in  due  time  they  reached  the  desolated 
little  town.  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  scarce  had  a 
word  for  either  Balthazar  or  Annetje,  but  neither 
cared  greatly  and  found  plenty  of  enjoyment  in  their 
own  company.     Much  to  their  surprise,  however, 


226  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

the  lady  decided  at  the  last  minute  to  go  with  them 
to  Nieuw  Amsterdam,  saying  significantly  that  she 
thought  a  talk  with  His  High  Mightiness  the  Gov- 
ernor would  serve  her  purpose  better  than  a  letter. 
So  they  endured  her  angry  glances  and  sullen  ways 
as  best  they  could  while  the  current  carried  them 
swiftly  down  the  great  river. 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  and  NIckje  welcomed  Annetje 
back  and  it  would  be  hard  to  say  which  of  the  two 
showed  the  most  joy.  The  racoon  scuttled  about 
the  room,  darting  in  now  and  then,  to  take  a  loving 
nip  at  the  girl's  ankles,  while  the  old  dame  pro- 
claimed fondly  that  naught  but  mulled  cider  could 
fittingly  celebrate  so  happy  an  event  as  Annetje's 
return. 

'^  Ah,  my  dear,'*  she  said,  as  she  sipped  the  first 
draft,  "  none  can  make  a  brew  like  this  save  thee. 
How  I  have  existed  in  thy  absence  I  cannot  tell. 
Now  let  me  have  thy  tale  from  the  night  I  said 
good-bye  to  thee." 

Supper  was  finished  ere  the  whole  of  the  adven- 
ture was  recounted,  for  there  were  questions  a-plenty 
Vrouw  Pelgrom  insisted  upon  having  answered;  nor 
was  she  satisfied  without  the  minutest  details. 

*'  And  so  the  wilden  went  away  at  thy  bidding," 
she  murmured  to  herself.  "  'TIs  past  belief  —  but 
I  doubt  not  his  High  Mightiness  the  Governor  had 
something  to  do  with  it,  though  thou  hast  said  naught 
of  him.  *'  Nay,"  she  went  on  as  Annetje  would 
have  spoken,  "  I  have  no  wish  to  share  confidences 
with  these  lofty  ones.  I  can  ne'er  be  accused  of 
gossiping  about  things  I  take  pains  to  know  naught 
of." 

"  I  have  not  told  thee  of  my  Indian  mother," 
Annetje  suggested  after  a  little. 

"Didst   see   her?"   Vrouw   Pelgrom   exclaimed, 


Balthazar  Takes  His  Leave  227 

opening  her  eyes  wide.  *'  And  had  she  news  of  thy 
babyhood?" 

^'  But  little,"  Annetje  acknowledged  and  then  re- 
counted all  that  had  transpired.  "  You  see,"  she 
ended,  "  'tis  evident  that  the  black  woman  who  car- 
ried me  into  the  forest  was  a  slave." 

''  Aye,"  agreed  the  dame,  "  and  'tis  as  evident 
that  those  who  can  afford  slaves  are  not  the  poor 
of  this  world.  Thy  family  were  people  of  quality, 
Annetje.  I  have  always  known  it  in  my  heart.  Yet 
have  I  said  naught  of  it  to  thee,  seeing  no  good  to 
be  gained  by  putting  notions  into  thy  head  that  could 
not  be  proven." 

''  But  perhaps  they  can  be  proven,  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom?"  Annetje  answered  eagerly.  "One  other 
thing  I  have  not  told  thee.  There  was  a  mark  upon 
my  baby  clothes.  A  broidered  monogram  perhaps, 
and  this  my  Indian  mother  cut  out  and  sewed  within 
my  little  suit.  'Tis  the  same  mark  that  we  noticed 
among  the  beads.  She  thought  to  please  the  Great 
Spirit  by  putting  it  upon  all  my  things,  and  now  I 
mean  to  find  the  piece  of  linen  from  which  she  copied 
the  design." 

"  In  which  of  the  suits  was  It  hid?"  asked  the 
dame,  betraying  some  anxiety.  She  knew  not  what 
this  might  portend,  and  in  her  heart  she  had  always 
dreaded  the  day  when  the  girl  would  be  taken  away 
from  her. 

"  It  was  in  the  first  suit,  she  said,"  Annetje  an- 
swered, stopping  short  as  a  thought  entered  her 
head.  "  By  that  she  meant  the  first  one  ever  she 
made  me,  I  think.  Which  was  the  one  that  was 
sold,  Vrouw  Pelgrom?  " 

"  My  dear,  I  fear  'twas  the  smallest  one,"  Vrouw 
Pelgrom  answered.  "  It  seemed  the  least  valuable, 
though  rich  enough  at  that;  but  seeing,  that  it  was 


228  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

too  small  for  thee  even  then,  I  thought  it  could  be 
easily  spared.  Alas,  I  fear  now  it  was  the  most 
precious." 

With  a  pang  of  disappointment  Annetje  hurried 
to  the  drawer  under  her  slaap-banck  and  drew  forth 
the  two  httle  suits.  With  great  care  she  ripped  a 
seam  in  each,  but  found  naught  to  reward  her.  If 
indeed  the  remnant  of  the  little  dress  was  to  help 
solve  the  mystery  of  her  birth,  she  was  as  far  as 
ever  from  the  knowledge  she  longed  for. 

**  Dost  remember  who  bought  the  suit?"  she 
asked  after  a  long  time. 

"  'Tis  in  my  mind,  an  Englishman  who  was  in- 
terested in  such  things  took  it  back  home  with  him," 
the  dame  replied.  "  But  'tis  ten  long  years  since 
then  and  I  can  scarce  be  certain.  'Twas  sold 
through  Jacob  Janse  and  he's  dead  this  twelvemonth. 
But,  my  child,  what  canst  thou  hope  to  discover  even 
shouldst  thou  find  it?  " 

*'  It  might  give  a  clue  to  my  family,"  Annetje 
answered. 

"  Aye,  that  might  well  be,"  replied  the  dame, 
picking  up  the  skin  jackets,  "  but  have  we  not  the 
same  design  here  —  and  it  tells  us  naught." 

"  That's  true,  too,"  Annetje  agreed  with  a  sigh, 
and  though  they  talked  longer  of  the  matter  they 
were  in  the  end  no  nearer  what  they  sought. 

Annetje  took  up  her  life  where  she  had  left  it 
and  was  at  work  the  next  morning  as  if  she  had 
never  been  upon  such  an  adventure.  The  dame, 
too,  grumbled  at  this  or  that,  as  her  feelings  dic- 
tated, and  gossiped  of  the  news  the  town  afforded  as 
if  naught  had  come  to  break  the  monotony  of  her 
regular  existence;  but  the  girl  seemed  to  have  grown 
older  and  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  watching  closely,  won- 
dered if  aught  had  occurred  upon  the  journey  to 


Balthazar  Takes  His  Leave  229 

justify  the  fears  she  and  Mevrouw  Varleth  had  en- 
tertained. 

She  said  nothing,  however,  for  the  very  fact  that 
Annetje  talked  frankly  of  Balthazar  set  her  mind 
at  rest  for  the  time  being  and  she  was  half  Inclined 
to  conclude  that  she  had  exaggerated  the  danger. 

Much  to  Annetje's  regret  she  learned  that  the 
young  pedlar  had  paid  for  his  goods  In  hard  money 
and  disappeared.  She  took  pains  to  tell  Vrouw 
Pelgrom,  In  justice  to  the  man,  that  he  was  blame- 
less of  having  any  hand  In  the  Indian  troubles  and 
expressed  regret  for  her  suspicions,  then  she  tried 
to  forget  the  hopes  he  had  fostered. 

One  day  Annetje  was  sent  for  by  the  Governor 
and  marched  to  the  Fort  escorted  by  a  stout  hal- 
berdier. She  had  expected  this  summons  sooner  or 
later,  and  felt  no  trepidation  when  she  found  herself 
under  Peter  Stuyvesant's  sharp  eyes.  He  dismissed 
all  her  attendants  and  told  her  to  seat  herself. 

"  It  seems  I  have  much  to  thank  thee  for,  child," 
he  began  pleasantly  enough.  "  From  the  reports  I 
have  of  the  affair  thou  didst  well  upon  the  trip  north. 
Cregler  sends  word  he  Is  sceptical  of  thy  services 
and  swears  he  would  have  beaten  the  redskins  had 
the  Issue  arisen,  while  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  vows 
thou  art  a  traitor.  'TIs  plain  my  secret  was  kept. 
I'm  right  glad  I  trusted  thee,  for  I  have  heard  some- 
thing of  thy  side  of  the  story  from  my  son.  His 
life  It  appears  I  also  owe  to  thee." 

"  Nay,  except  for  me  he  would  not  have  been 
captured,"  Annetje  Insisted.  "  His  life  was  never 
in  danger  I  am  sure,  after  the  council  decided  against 
a  batde." 

"  I  see  thou  art  modest  as  well  as  brave,  which 
is  well,"  Stuyvesant  replied.  "  I  shall  not  forget 
thy  service.     Now  there  are  certain  matters  that  are 


230  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

somewhat  clearer  to  me  than  to  Martin  Cregier  and 
the  others,  but  I  would  know  how  far  thou  hast 
committed  the  Director  General  of  this  Province, 
and  I  am  importuned  for  more  men  to  send  after 
these  savages  —  what  hast  thou  to  say  to  that?'* 

"  I  would  beg  your  High  Mightiness  not  to  send 
them,"  Annetje  answered,  and  then  she  told  for  the 
first  time,  all  that  had  occurred  around  the  council- 
fire.  Stuyvesant  listened  intently,  putting  in  a  ques- 
tion now  and  then,  to  make  clear  a  point,  but  scarce 
interrupting  till  the  tale  was  finished. 

"  I  promised  that  your  High  Mightiness  would 
treat  them  fairly,"  she  ended,  ''  and  that  when  the 
hot  blood  was  cooled  on  both  sides  you  would  ar- 
range a  parley  to  the  end  that  the  peace-pipe  could 
be  smoked. 

"  Thou  hast  done  well,  child,"  he  told  her  after 
a  moment's  reflection.  'Tis  a  pity  thy  work  cannot 
be  proclaimed  and  credit  given,  but  that  would  de- 
feat our  plan.  Nevertheless,  remember  that  thou 
hast  a  friend  in  Peter  Stuyvesant." 

*'  I  thank  your  High  Mightiness,"  she  answered, 
and  moved  to  take  her  departure. 

''  One  moment,"  the  Governor  called  after  her. 
*'  Hast  thou  no  wish  that  I  may  gratify  by  way  of 
reward  for  thy  services?  " 

"Oh,  no,  your  High  Mightiness!"  Annetje  ex- 
claimed. *'  It  was  my  heart's  desire  to  stop  this  war- 
fare. I  have  to  thank  your  gracious  favour  for 
giving  me  the  chance." 

*'  But  as  to  Balthazar,"  the  Governor  asked, 
watching  her  closely.  *'  In  spite  of  what  the  Me- 
vrouw  Van  Imbroeck  has  to  say  of  the  matter,  he 
insists  that  thou  hast  saved  his  life.  I  should  like  to 
lighten  that  debt  to  some  extent.  Is  there  naught 
that  I  can  do  for  thee?" 


Balthazar  Takes  His  Leave  231 

*'  Nay,  your  High  Mightiness,"  Annetje  answered 
with  a  little  smile.  "  Seeing  that  you  helped  me  to 
save  my  tribe  from  future  trouble,  let  us  call  the 
debt  cancelled." 

Stuyvesant  rose  and  moved  to  the  door  beside 
which  the  girl  stood. 

"  My  child,"  he  said  gently,  *'  such  a  debt  is  not 
so  easily  cancelled,  yet  shall  I  not  mind  being  be- 
holden to  thee.  Perhaps  I  may  be  of  service  to  thee 
in  return  in  the  days  to  come.  Count  upon  my  in- 
fluence and  come  to  me  for  advice,  if  so  thou  art 
minded.  Little  maids  of  course  must  stop  at  home; 
but  this  trip  up  the  Mauritious  has  given  Balthazar 
a  taste  for  adventure.  1  am  sending  him  to  the 
West  Indies  for  his  education.  Dost  think  well  of 
it?" 

He  looked  at  her  keenly  and  she,  meeting  his  eye 
with  no  sign  of  embarrassment,  nodded  her  head. 

*'  I  think  it  will  be  splendid,  your  High  Mighti- 
ness. Every  man  must  wish  to  see  the  world." 
Then  with  a  curtsey  she  quitted  the  room. 

**  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck  tells  lies  and  my  sister 
is  a  fool!"  Stuyvesant  muttered  to  himself  as  he 
went  back  to  his  desk. 

Three  days  later  while  Annetje  and  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom  were  mixing  an  unguent,  Balthazar  Stuyvesant 
burst  into  the  cottage.  It  was  the  first  time  he  had 
seen  Annetje  since  their  return  from  the  woods  and 
he  greeted  her  gladly.  For  Vrouw  Pelgrom  he  had 
a  joking  word  and  then  announced  his  news. 

"I'm  off  to  the  West  Indies!"  he  exclaimed, 
'*  I  have  come  to  say  farewell.  The  ship  sails  on 
the  next  tide  and  I  have  been  working  like  mad  to 
make  ready.  It  all  came  of  a  sudden,  my  father 
having  made  up  his  mind  but  yesterday." 

Under  cover  of  Vrouw  Pelgrom's  loud  and  volu- 


232  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

ble  enthuslam  neither  of  the  others  noted  that 
Annetje  showed  no  surprise. 

'^  It  will  be  fine  adventure,"  she  said,  with  a  cor- 
dial smile. 

'*  I  wish  thou  wert  going  with  me,"  Balthazar 
cried.  '^  Thou  art  the  best  comrade  I  know.  Could 
we  not  have  fun  together  aboard  the  ship?  " 

"  Aye,"  she  agreed,  "  I  think  we  could."  And 
Vrouw  Pelgrom  regarded  their  frank  friendliness 
with  amazement. 

*'  Good-bye,  Annetje,"  he  said  a  little  later  as  he 
took  his  leave  of  them.     *'  I  shall  miss  thee." 

"  When  art  thou  coming  back?  "  she  asked. 

"  Nay,  I  know  not,"  he  answered.  "  Perchance 
I  shall  stay  two  or  three  years,  travelling  through  the 
Islands.  Don't  forget  me  when  I  am  gone.  Good- 
bye, Vrouw  Pelgrom.  If  I'm  burnt  black  in  the 
Indies  I'll  come  to  you  to  bleach  me  on  my  return.'* 
With  a  bound  he  was  down  the  steps  and  away. 

"  I'm  glad  he's  to  have  such  a  fine  trip,"  exclaimed 
Annetje  as  she  turned  to  her  work.  '*  He's  such  a 
nice  boy  —  but  I  shall  miss  him,"  she  added. 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  said  nothing  to  the  point  for  she 
was  thinking. 

"  I  am  a  silly  old  woman  and  Mevrouw  Varleth 
is  no  better,"  was  her  conclusion. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

A   PASSING  YEAR 

THE  year  that  followed  was  quite  uneventful 
both  to  the  province  and  to  Annetje.  The 
captives  from  Wiltwyck  were  finally  recov- 
ered and  in  the  autumn  a  parley  was  held  which 
gave  promise  of  establishing  a  permanent  peace. 
The  life  of  the  little  town  continued  with  increasing 
prosperity  and  if  there  were  at  times  hints  that  the 
English  were  too  high  in  the  favour  of  Stuyvesant, 
and  many  rumours  of  political  intrigue,  the  stolid 
Dutchmen  paid  scant  heed  to  them  and  the  Governor 
had  to  struggle  with  his  problems  alone.  This  state 
of  affairs  was  of  course,  quite  to  his  liking,  for  he 
was  an  old  autocrat  who  had  small  inclination  to 
consult  the  people  over  whom  he  ruled. 

Annetje  thought  constantly  of  Balthazar  Stuyve- 
sant and  yet,  as  the  months  passed,  she  heard  no 
word  of  him  from  any  source;  nor  did  she  expect  to. 
She  was  fully  conscious  of  the  gulf  between  his  social 
position  and  hers  and  saw  no  way  to  bridge  it,  but 
her  thoughts  of  him  were  the  happiest.  She  went 
over  in  her  mind  the  days  they  had  spent  in  the 
woods,  recalling  those  incidents  on  the  journey  in 
which  Balthazar  had  played  the  leading  part  and 
soon  forgetting  the  anxieties,  remembered  only  the 
joy  of  their  open-hearted  association.  She  looked 
for  nothing  to  come  of  it,  and  to  the  depth  of  her 
own  feeling  toward  him  she  gave  no  consideration. 
She  had  no  wish  to  mar  the  memories  of  those  pleas- 
ant hours  with  vain  longings,  knowing  well  that  no 

233 


234  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

alliance  was  possible  so  long  as  she  remained  a  name- 
less waif  —  and  she  had  ceased  to  hope  that  she 
would  ever  learn  who  her  parents  were. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  the  girl  was  discon- 
tented with  her  lot  in  life.  She  did  not  dishke  the 
work  she  had  to  do  and  her  affection  for  the  fat  dame 
was  even  proof  against  Vrouw  Pelgrom's  propensity 
for  grumbling,  for  she  knew  that  a  mug  of  mulled 
cider  was  certain  to  dissipate  any  amount  of  ill- 
humour. 

Beside  the  compounding  of  medicines  and  cos- 
metics Annetje  had  all  their  buying  to  do,  and  when 
October  came  and  with  it  a  month  of  the  Kermis  and 
the  cattle  market,  she  was  abroad  early  and  late, 
laying  In  the  winter's  store  of  food  and  clothing. 
Vrouw  Pelgrom,  like  most  of  the  poorer  folk,  paid 
for  her  portion  of  the  Kermis  ox,  a  fine  beast  which 
was  led  around  the  town,  brightly  garlanded  with 
flowers,  to  permit  each  customer  to  select  the  cuts 
desired  while  It  walked  about  from  house  to  house. 
The  richer  folk  bought  whole  animals  which  were 
butchered  and  preserved  In  various  ways  for  winter 
use.  It  was  Indeed  the  busiest  time  In  the  year  for 
the  thrifty  housewives  of  NIeuw  Amsterdam,  who 
made  each  her  hundred  pasties  of  meat  and  fruit  to 
be  frozen  and  stored  for  future  needs. 

Annetje  visited  the  market  early  and  went  from 
stall  to  stall  upon  her  errands.  There  were  booths 
for  everything,  cheese,  fresh  poultry  and  shell-fish, 
rubbed  shoulders  with  velvets,  jewelry  and  toys. 
Every  one  was  abroad,  a  good-natured,  noisy  crowd, 
shouting  lustily  to  make  themselves  heard  above  the 
blare  of  trumpets,  the  clatter  of  rommel-pots  and  the 
harsh  cries  of  vendors. 

Then  came  Saint  Claes's  Eve,  on  the  fifth  of  De- 
cember, and  in  preparation  for  this  and  the  holidays 


A  Passing  Year  235 

to  follow,  Annetje  baked  great  plattersful  of  cookies 
and  wafers.  She  was  quite  famous  for  her  gilded 
ginger-bread,  though  among  all  the  townfolk  there 
was  rivalry  at  this  business.  She  went  to  all  the 
pastlng-partles  where  the  young  people  decorated 
with  bright  pictures  the  fancy  cakes  baked  by  their 
neighbours,  her  deft  hands  being  always  more  than 
welcome;  but  she  joined  not  In  the  noisy  gossip  of 
the  young  men  and  maids  about  her,  contenting  her- 
self playing  with  the  children  among  whom  she  was 
a  great  favourite. 

During  these  holidays,  which  Included  Christmas, 
New  Year's  Day  and  Three  Kings'  Even,  as  the 
Dutch  called  Twelfth  Night,  the  air  was  very  cold 
and  Vrouw  Pelgrom  saw  to  It  that  the  girl  had  her 
fun  upon  the  Ice  with  the  others  of  the  city,  old  and 
young,  who  had  brought  their  love  of  skaiing  with 
them  from  Holland.  Here  she  glided  among  the 
swan-sleds  and  boat-sleds  In  which  sat  the  elders  of 
the  community,  or  stopped  at  one  of  the  many  booths 
for  a  cup  of  hot  jocolato,  or  aniseed  seethed  In  milk, 
or  one  of  the  many  other  warming  drinks. 

So  passed  the  winter.  With  the  Spring  came  her 
old  longing  for  the  woods,  and  she  was  glad  to  find 
that  her  guardian  Indian  was  again  upon  the  watch. 
She  asked  eagerly  for  news  of  the  tribe  and  learned 
that  all  was  well  with  them  and  that  the  Sachem  and 
his  squaw  kept  her  in  their  thoughts. 

As  the  summer  approached  there  was  more  talk 
of  the  English  making  trouble  for  the  province. 
Some  even  said  that  they  meant  to  steal  It  from  the 
Dutch.  Those  who  had  knowledge  of  the  matter 
were  Inclined  to  blame  the  Company  at  home  for  not 
taking  measures  to  safeguard  the  NIeuw  Nederlandt, 
but  little  of  this  reached  Annetje,  who  was  busy  with 
her  own  thoughts  and  duties. 


236  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

One  day  in  July,  of  the  year  1664,  Madaleen 
Wittsen,  who,  of  all  her  acquaintances,  Annetje 
cared  for  the  most,  came  with  the  news  that  a  great 
ship  had  arrived  from  Curacoa. 

"  'Tis  well,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  grumbled,  as  was 
her  wont.  "  Mayhap  her  cargo  of  sugar  will  put 
down  the  price,  so  that  a  poor  body  may  sweeten 
her  tea  without  fearing  to  become  a  charge  upon 
the  community." 

'*  My  moeder  complains  that  they  send  us  more 
rum  than  sugar,"  Madaleen  remarked. 

"  Aye,  and  she's  right,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  agreed. 
"  They  leave  scant  room  upon  their  ships  for  food." 

Annetje  heard  this  news  with  awakened  thoughts 
of  Balthazar.  She  wondered  if  perchance  he  had 
watched  the  ship  sail  and  tried  to  picture  him  among 
the  tropical  islands.  But  her  knowledge  of  such 
latitudes  was  so  meagre  that  she  smiled  a  little  sadly, 
for  she  could  bring  naught  to  her  mind  but  a  small 
bit  of  sand  with  one  lone  palm  tree  standing  on  it 
like  an  up-ended  birch  broom. 

Later  in  the  day,  when  she  was  sent  upon  an 
errand,  she  went  out  of  her  way  to  seek  the  Lange 
de  Waal,  the  broad  walk  beside  the  river,  where  she 
could  look  out  over  the  water.  She  wanted  to  see 
that  ship  from  the  West  Indies,  and  stood  gazing  at 
it  wistfully,  quite  lost  to  her  surroundings. 

Suddenly  her  heart  gave  a  great  bound  as  she 
heard  a  quick  step  behind  her  and  a  voice  she  well 
knew  calling  her  name.  She  turned  and  faced  Bal- 
thazar Stuyvesant  coming  toward  her  with  out- 
stretched hand. 

"  Annetje!  Is  it  thee?  "  he  cried,  as  he  reached 
her  side.  "  I  was  going  to  Vrouw  Pelgrom's  as 
soon  as  I  could.      I  have  been  longing  to  see  thee." 

*'  Didst  thou  come  back  on  that  ship?  "  Annetje 


A  Passing  Year  237 

faltered,  her  hand  In  his  and  her  eyes  searching  his 
sunburned,  handsome  face. 

"  Aye,  we  dropped  anchor  early  this  morning. 
Art  glad  to  see  me?  "  he  asked,  smiling  down  on  her. 

"  Indeed,  yes,"  she  answered,  and  for  a  moment 
they  stood  thus  looking  into  each  other's  eyes. 
"  But  I  didn't  know  thou  wert  coming  home  so 
soon,"  she  went  on,  withdrawing  her  hand  gently. 
*'  It  is  so  unexpected." 

He  frowned  and  shook  his  head  as  if  the  remark 
were  a  little  embarrassing. 

"  I  didn't  like  it  as  much  as  I  thought  I  should," 
he  replied  evasively.  *'  That  is  —  I  did  like  it,  too, 
—  but  —  I  wanted  to  come  home  I  "  he  added  in 
a  burst. 

"  Wert  thou  homesick?  "  Annetje  laughed  lightly. 
Of  a  sudden  there  seemed  a  weight  lifted  from  her 
heart  and  she  had  a  great  desire  to  sing. 

"  Yes,  I  was  homesick,"  he  acknowledged,  laugh- 
ing in  his  turn.  *'  Tell  me  about  thyself.  And  how 
is  Vrouw  Pelgrom?  Thou  canst  not  know  how 
many  times  I  have  thought  about  her,  she  is  such  a 
funny  old  woman  and  so  fat;  but  —  but  I  like  her." 

He  talked  fast  as  if  indeed  the  things  he  wanted 
to  say,  yet  dared  not,  threatened  to  escape  unless  he 
hid  them  behind  a  great  flow  of  words. 

**  We've  been  very  well,"  Annetje  replied.  She 
was  calm  enough  now,  but  made  no  effort  to  conceal 
the  fact  that  she  was  glad  to  see  him. 

They  strolled  up  and  down  the  Lange  de  Waal, 
forgetful  of  time  or  place,  of  everything  save  them- 
selves. But  of  a  sudden  Annetje  became  conscious 
of  hostile  eyes  upon  her  and,  looking  across  the 
broad  street,  she  saw  Mademoiselle  de  Sllle  gazing 
at  them  with  a  curious,  and  not  very  pleasant  expres- 
sion upon  her  pretty  face. 


238  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  I  must  go  home,  Balthazar,"  she  said  hurriedly, 
realizing  of  a  sudden  what  might  be  going  on  in  the 
mind  of  that  other  girl.  "  I  am  glad  thou  art  back. 
Good-bye." 

She  left  him  a  little  dazed  by  her  quick  departure. 

*'  She  was  glad  to  see  me,"  he  said  to  himself. 
**  But  I  don't  think  she  was  as  glad  as  I  was  to  see 
her." 

He  shook  his  head  stubbornly,  a  trick  he  had  In- 
herited from  his  father,  and  went  on  about  his  busi- 
ness. 

Back  In  the  little  cottage  In  the  Markveldt  Steegic 
Annetje  told  Vrouw  Pelgrom  her  news. 

**  He  looks  very  well  indeed,"  she  said  calmly. 
"  I  think  his  trip  has  done  him  good." 

But  though  she  might  conceal  her  feelings  under 
sober  words,  there  was  a  brighter  colour  In  her 
cheeks,  a  happier  tone  In  her  voice  and  a  sparkle  in 
her  eyes  which  could  not  be  hidden,  and  the  fat 
dame's  fears  returned  In  full  measure.  Nor  could 
Vrouw  Pelgrom  gain  any  comfort  from  Balthazar's 
visit  to  them  upon  the  following  morning.  He  came 
eagerly,  as  cheerful  and  as  boyish  as  ever,  and  the 
goodwife  could  not  but  welcome  him;  for  though  she 
vowed  to  herself  that  she  must  discourage  his  visits, 
yet  was  she  ever  disarmed  by  his  frankness  and  spirit. 

He  talked  of  his  journey,  of  the  ship,  of  Cura^oa, 
while  the  two  worked  at  their  tasks,  and  it  soon 
developed  that  instead  of  disliking  the  Island  as  he 
had  at  first  suggested,  he  was  enthusiastic  to  return 
to  It. 

**  It*s  a  wonderful  place.  I  do  wish  you  and  An- 
netje could  see  It,"  he  said,  to  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  but 
his  eyes  were  upon  the  girl.  *'  Nobody  seemed 
greatly  pleased  that  I  came  back,"  he  added  Inno- 
cently  a   moment   later.     "  Mother    and   Nicholas 


A  Passing  Year  239 

were  right  enough,  but  Aunt  Anna  looked  glum  and 
my  father  only  greeted  me  with  a  grunt.  I  think 
you  and  Annetje  are  the  only  ones  who  are  really 
glad  to  see  me." 

This  was  all  that  marked  the  renewal  of  Bal- 
thazar's visits  to  the  little  cottage.  Scarce  a  day 
passed  that  he  was  not  there  on  one  pretext  or  an- 
other and  Vrouw  Pelgrom  was  at  her  wits'  end, 
knowing  not  what  she  should  do  to  put  a  stop  to  it. 
Nor  was  she  the  only  one  troubled  over  the  matter. 
Annetje  herself  took  thought,  for  'twas  not  only  at 
the  house  that  Balthazar  saw  her;  he  was  on  the 
outlook  to  join  her  whenever  she  stirred  abroad. 
She  had  seen  more  hostile  eyes  than  Mademoiselle 
de  Sille's  and  knew  that  it  would  give  rise  to  gossip; 
so  she  felt  that  the  time  was  nigh  when  she  must 
speak. 

Her  opportunity  came  as  they  walked  back  from 
the  Maagde  Paetje  whither  she  had  gone  to  soak 
some  flax. 

"  Balthazar,"  she  said,  as  gently  as  she  could,  *'  it 
is  not  well  that  we  should  be  seen  together  so  much. 
Mevrouw  Van  Corlear  and  the  Juffer  Kierstedc 
could  scarce  wait  to  see  our  backs  to  put  their  heads 
together." 

"  What  dost  thou  mean?  "  he  asked  with  genuine 
surprise. 

*'  Hast  thou  not  seen  people  nudge  each  other  as 
we  passed  by?  "  she  asked. 

*'  Aye,  and  I  cared  not,"  he  answered  firmly. 
'*  Dost  thou  mind  what  silly  gossips  say?  Shall  we 
let  them  spoil  our  friendship?  " 

**  I  hope  it  will  not  spoil  our  friendship,  Bal- 
thazar," she  replied,  "  but  I  do  care  about  the  gos- 
sips. Nay,  do  not  stop  me,"  she  went  on,  as  he 
would  have  spoken,  *'  I  must  tell  thee  what  is  in  my 


240  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

mind.  I  am  not  a  suitable  friend  for  the  son  of 
his  High  Mightiness  the  Governor." 

*'  I  was  never  one  to  have  a  multitude  of  friends," 
he  answered. 

"  Nor  was  I,"  she  admitted,  but  nevertheless  not- 
ing that  he  was  avoiding  the  main  point  at  issue. 

*'  Then  shouldst  thou  value  my  friendship  the 
more,"  he  said  wistfully.  "  Come,  Annetje,  don't 
let  a  silly  notion  — " 

"  Nay,  'tis  no  silly  notion,"  she  interrupted. 
*'  Thou  art  a  Stuyvesant.  That  is  the  greatest  name 
in  the  province,  and  I  " —  she  hesitated  an  instant  — 
"  I  am  Annetje  Lackname." 

"  Then  would  it  solve  all  difficulties  if  thou  didst 
take  my  name,"  Balthazar  answered,  suddenly  real- 
izing what  had  brought  him  back  from  Cura^oa. 

"  Thou  art  over-young  to  adopt  so  large  a  daugh- 
ter, Balthazar,"  Annetje  replied,  not  catching  the 
drift  of  his  words,  for  indeed  what  he  meant  had 
never  entered  her  mind  as  a  possibility. 

"  'Tis  not  a  daughter  but  a  wife  I  want  thee  for," 
he  returned,  and  Annetje  understood  at  last.  For 
a  moment  she  knew  not  what  to  say.  She  realized 
that  in  her  own  heart  there  was  a  love  for  him  which 
she  had  scarce  admitted  even  to  herself;  but  so  im- 
possible did  marriage  seem  in  the  circumstances  that 
she  had  never  speculated  on  whether  he  cared  for  her 
and  could  not  believe  it  now. 

"  I  thank  thee,  Balthazar,"  she  said  at  length. 
*'  Now  indeed  do  I  know  that  thou  art  my  friend, 
but  I  would  not  have  thee  do  aught  because  thou 
wert  sorry  for  me." 

"  Nay,  'tis  not  that  I  am  sorry,  but  that  I  love 
thee,  Annetje,"  he  insisted  earnestly.  "  I  knew  it 
not  until  this  minute,  but  T  have  longed  for  thee  ever 
since  I  set  foot  on  that  ship.     I  wondered  what  was 


"  Thou  art  over-young  to  adopt  so  large  a  daughter, 
Balthazar  " 


A  Passing  Year  241 

wrong  with  me.  I  kept  thinking  of  thee  and  trying 
to  guess  what  thou  wert  doing.  Always  when  I  saw 
something  I  liked,  I  wished  thee  to  see  it,  to  share 
the  pleasure  with  thee  and  so  make  it  twice  as  beau- 
tiful. And  when  I  saw  thee  that  day  I  came  back 
I  felt  as  though  a  great  load  had  been  lifted  from 
my  heart.  I  do  love  thee,  Annetje,  and  thou  must 
marry  me." 

She  stopped  and  looked  across  the  fields,  her  eyes 
soft  with  the  joy  gleaming  out  of  them.  A  vague 
dream  had  come  true.  The  love  she  had  for  him 
might  now  be  acknowledged  and  freed  from  its  im- 
prisonment in  the  secret  places  of  her  heart,  yet  the 
thing  they  both  desired  was  impossible  and  she  knew 
it.  The  Dutch  law  required  the  consent  of  all 
parents  before  any  couple  could  have  their  name  en- 
tered in  the  Trouw  Boek  where  all  marriages  must 
be  recorded.  The  proud  Stuyvesants  would  ever 
bar  her  way  to  that,  so  she  turned  to  Balthazar  with 
a  loving,  sad  little  smile  upon  her  lips. 

*'  It  cannot  be,  Balthazar,"  she  said  gently. 
"  Thy  father  and  mother  would  never  consent." 

*' I  will  make  them  consent  I"  cried  the  son  of 
"  Hard-koppig  Piet,"  "  or  we'll  marry  without  their 
consent.  I'll  warrant  Sir  Harry  Moody's  parson 
would  marry  us  an  we  went  to  Gravesend." 

"  Nay,  nay!  "  cried  Annetje.  "  Never  will  I  do 
that." 

*'  Then  thou  dost  not  love  me,"  Balthazar  said 
miserably. 

"  Don't  say  that,"  she  said,  putting  a  hand  upon 
his  arm.  "  Let  me  keep  the  best  friend  I  have  in 
the  world." 

For  a  moment  he  answered  nothing,  then  after  the 
characteristic  shake  of  his  head  he  looked  at  her 
longingly. 


242  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

*'  Annetje,  I  know  what  I  want  and  I'm  going  to 
have  it  in  spite  of  my  mother,  or  my  father,  or  —  or 
of  thee !  "  And  Balthazar  turned  on  his  heel  and 
left  her. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 
annetje's  answer 

A  NNETJE  was  by  no  means  disturbed  by  Bal- 
£\  thazar's  abrupt  departure.  She  understood 
JL  jL  his  feelings  and  was  quite  willing  to  end  an 
argument  that  could  lead  to  nothing.  She  knew  that 
he  appreciated  as  well  as  she  did  the  impossibility 
of  reconciling  all  those  who  would  be  opposed  to 
their  marriage,  and  the  very  fact  that  he  had  gone 
off  as  he  had  showed  her  that  he  found  no  ready 
argument  to  combat  her  position.  Moreover,  she 
was  glad  that  he  had  not  stayed  to  force  her  Into 
further  denial  of  his  wishes. 

In  spite  of  an  ache  in  her  heart,  which  was  to 
grow  as  the  days  passed,  she  took  a  certain  measure 
of  joy  in  his  having  told  her  that  he  loved  her.  She 
had  known  for  a  long  time  that  he  was  very  dear 
to  her  and  the  knowledge  that  he,  too,  cared,  sufficed 
to  send  her  home  with  a  song  upon  her  lips. 

As  to  Balthazar,  his  declaration  had  been  wholly 
spontaneous.  He  had  not  realized  how  strong  a 
hold  Annetje  had  upon  his  affections.  Indeed,  It 
was  a  revelation  to  him  to  discover  that  It  was  be- 
cause of  her  he  had  been  homesick  on  his  trip  to  the 
West  Indies.  He  was  still  very  young  and  although 
the  past  year  had  brought  him  nearer  to  manhood 
and  a  better  understanding  of  his  own  feelings,  it 
was  Annetje's  words  that  had  given  him  a  full  com- 
prehension of  the  difficulties  to  be  overcome  ere  he 
could  have  his  wish.     He  knew  now  as  well  as  she 

243 


244  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

did  that  the  road  to  his  desires  was  not  easy. 
Nevertheless  he  was  a  son  of  Peter  Stuyvesant, 
Hardheaded  Peter,  as  many  called  him,  and,  like  his 
father,  was  not  wont  to  relinquish  a  thing  he  had 
once  set  his  heart  upon  having. 

Yet  was  Balthazar  mindful  of  Annetje^s  protest 
against  giving  the  townsfolk  food  for  gossip.  Once 
the  matter  was  called  to  his  attention  he  saw  the  wis- 
dom of  her  warning,  and  for  the  first  time  under- 
stood certain  giggling  hints  of  fair  damsels  of  his 
own  class.  On  the  other  hand,  he  had  no  intention 
of  not  seeing  Annetje  and,  though  his  visits  were  less 
frequent,  it  was  plain  he  had  no  thought  of  giving 
her  up. 

Between  himself  and  the  girl  there  grew  up  a 
tacit  understanding  of  the  conditions.  He  said 
naught  more  of  his  love  for  her,  but  he  was  less  gay 
than  formerly  and  talked  of  serious  matters  that  all 
had  a  bearing  upon  their  own  affairs.  In  particular 
he  inquired  minutely  into  all  that  was  known  of  An- 
netje's  history,  and  more  than  once  the  Httle  Indian 
suits  were  brought  out  and  examined.  Annetje 
knew  what  was  in  his  mind  and  liked  him  none  the 
less  for  striving  to  find  a  way  out  of  their  difficulties; 
but  she  did  not  permit  herself  to  hope  that  such  a 
way  would  be  found. 

One  day,  at  the  height  of  the  summer,  he  met  her 
at  dusk  near  the  cottage  and  stopped  her. 

*'  I  have  something  to  tell  thee,"  he  said  In  a 
matter-of-fact  tone. 

"What  Is  it,  Balthazar?  "  she  asked. 

**  I  have  made  up  my  mind  to  go  back  to  the  West 
Indies,"  he  declared.  "  Out  there  I  can  make  a 
place  for  myself  and  be  beholden  to  no  one.  Wilt 
thou  marry  me  then?  " 

"  Nay,  Balthazar,  that  cannot  be,"  she  said  after 


Annetje's  Answer  245 

a  moment.  *'  I  will  not  shame  thy  family.  Thou 
art  the  son  of  the  great  Governor.  Only  with  his 
permission  would  I  think  of  giving  thee  thy  wish." 

"  I  may  be  the  Governor's  son  now,"  Balthazar 
answered,  "  but  I  do  not  think  I  shall  be  a  Gov- 
ernor's son  long." 

"  What  meanest  thou?  "  Annetje  demanded  anx- 
iously. 

"  That  my  father  is  like  to  find  himself  robbed 
of  his  province,"  Balthazar  explained.  "  The  Eng- 
lish are  not  content  with  ridding  themselves  of  their 
jailbirds  and  rascally  bond  servants  at  our  expense; 
they  covet  our  land.  Already  they  are  buying  parts 
of  our  province  from  the  Indians,  claiming  that  we 
have  no  rightful  charter.  My  father  has  written 
again  and  again  begging  the  Worshipful  West  India 
Company  to  settle  our  boundaries;  but  they  do 
naught  and  we  are  left  to  fight  the  English  claims 
without  legal  patents,  because  the  first  charter  has 
never  been  confirmed  by  the  States  General  under 
their  seal." 

''  I  do  not  understand,"  Annetje  replied. 
''  Surely  this  is  a  Dutch  colony?  " 

"  'Tis  Dutch  only  in  name.  We  have  naught  to 
prove  our  holdings,"  Balthazar  insisted.  "  A  day 
may  soon  come  when  my  father  will  find  himself 
with  nothing  to  govern." 

That  was  the  first  news  Annetje  had  of  the  dis- 
turbing rumours  that  began  to  be  noised  about  the 
town  of  England's  intention  to  seize  the  Nieuw 
Nederlandt.  A  patent  had  been  granted  to  James, 
Duke  of  York,  under  the  great  seal  of  England  to 
"  the  territory  comprehending  Long  Island  and  the 
islands  in  the  neighbourhood  and  all  the  lands  and 
rivers  from  the  West  side  of  the  Connecticut  River 
to  the  East  side  of  the  Delaware,"  and  not  long  after 


246  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

this  conversation  with  Balthazar,  Annetje  awoke  one 
morning  to  find  the  city  in  a  ferment  over  the  news 
that  a  secret  expedition  had  sailed  from  Portsmouth 
in  May  and  might  be  expected  any  day  by  way  of 
the  Sound. 

The  old  Governor  wasted  no  time  in  calling  the 
burghermeesters  and  schepens  together  to  devise 
ways  and  means  for  protecting  the  town,  and  soon  all 
were  set  to  work  upon  the  fortifications.  Men  who 
had  never  laboured  with  their  hands  carried  a  spade 
with  the  others,  provisions  were  hurriedly  collected, 
agents  were  sent  into  the  country  as  far  as  New 
Haven  to  gather  supplies,  and  with  money  loaned  by 
the  patroon,  Jeremias  Van  Rennsselaer,  a  quantity 
of  powder  was  obtained  from  New  Amstel.  It  was 
a  critical  time  for  the  company  possessions,  and  none 
knew  it  better  than  Peter  Stuyvesant,  who  went 
about  his  preparations  for  defence  with  the  thor- 
oughness of  an  experienced  soldier.  But,  ere  these 
measures  were  more  than  started,  a  ship  from  Hol- 
land brought  the  reassuring  news  that  the  English 
expedition  was  a  friendly  one,  intent  only  upon  re- 
ligious matters  in  New  England;  and  at  once  the 
Dutchmen  forgot  their  anxiety  and,  relaxing  their 
strenuous  efforts,  took  up  their  accustomed  business. 

During  these  days  Annetje  saw  naught  of  Bal- 
thazar and  worried  a  little  at  his  absence.  She  be- 
gan now  to  realize  how  much  his  presence  meant  to 
her  happiness  and  to  appreciate  more  fully  the  sacri- 
fice she  must  make.  He  had  said  nothing  of  going 
away  soon  when  last  she  had  seen  him  and  her  mind 
was  troubled.  When  she  could,  the  girl  went  out 
into  the  country  and,  seated  under  the  trees  for  shade 
against  the  August  sun,  thought  sadly  of  the  fate 
which  hid  from  her  the  secret  upon  which  her  happi- 
ness depended.     If  she  could  but  learn  her  name 


Annetje's  Answer  247 

then  she  felt  that  all  might  be  well.  She  meditated 
constantly  over  this,  only  to  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  she  would  never  know. 

Upon  one  of  these  afternoons  when  Annetjc  was 
away  Mevrouw  Varleth  paid  a  visit  to  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom. 

*'  I  am  glad  to  see  your  Mightiness,"  said  the 
dame,  as  soon  as  her  guest  was  seated.  *'  It  is  in 
my  mind  that  the  fat  is  in  the  fire  with  the  young 
Heer  Balthazar  and  my  girl  Annetje." 

"  You  are  right  there,"  Mevrouw  Varleth  agreed. 
"  More  fat  and  more  fire  than  you  know.  My 
nephew  went  to  his  father  on  the  matter  some  days 
since  and  there  was  a  fine  to-do.  In  consequence 
the  boy  is  banished  to  the  bouwerie,  though  I  doubt 
if  he  stays  there  long." 

"  He  has  told  his  father!  "  exclaimed  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom,  aghast.     "  How  dared  he?  " 

'*  He  is  a  Stuyvesant,"  Mevrouw  Varleth  declared 
Droudly.  "  We  dare  anything!  But,"  she  went  on, 
ler  voice  falling  to  regretful  tone,  *'  it  is  like  to  go 
lard  with  the  lad.  He  asked  roundly  for  his  fa- 
ther's consent  to  the  match  and  when  it  was  not 
given,  spoke  his  mind  like  the  rest  of  us.  It  is  too 
bad." 

"  I  thought  the  trip  to  the  Indies  would  end  it," 
remarked  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  after  a  moment's  silence. 
"  I  saw  thy  hand  in  that." 

*'  There  was  more  than  one  hand  in  it,  dame,"  her 
visitor  explained.  ''  The  Mevrouw  Van  Imbroeck 
started  the  ball  rolling,  with  a  tale  of  Balthazar's 
devotion  upon  the  adventure  in  the  north.  She  is 
a  cat  who  can  scratch  when  her  fur  is  stroked  the 
wrong  way.  I  had  said  naught  of  why  I  counselled 
Balthazar's  going  abroad,  and  was  blamed  for  send- 
ing the  boy  to  the  Sopus.     But  now  what's  to  do? 


248  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

If  I  know  Balthazar,  he  will  not  give  her  up,  and 
there  are  like  to  be  pretty  doings.  How  think  you 
Annetje  will  act?  " 

*'  I  know  not,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  answered.  *'  She 
has  been  low  in  her  spirits  and  given  much  to  mus- 
ing; but  she  talks  little  of  the  things  nearest  her 
heart." 

*'  There  has  been  gossip,  as  no  doubt  you  know," 
Mevrouw  Varleth  said.  *'  Mademoiselle  de  Sille 
saw  them  on  the  Laange  de  Waal,  and  has  been  talk- 
ing of  naught  else  ever  since.  I  doubt  not  she  and 
others  I  could  mention  would  like  Balthazar  to  look 
their  way  oftener.  But  the  lad  has  no  eyes  for  any 
one  of  them.     He  comes  here  still?  " 

"  Aye,  your  Mightiness,  he  does,"  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom confessed.  "  I  can  do  naught,  short  of  for- 
bidding him  the  house.  I  try  to  look  sour  at  him, 
but  he  laughs  at  me  —  and  I  perforce  laugh  with 
him.     He  is  as  taking  a  lad  as  ever  I  saw." 

"  Well,  we  must  contrive  something,"  Mevrouw 
Varleth  declared.  *'  If  it  goes  on  it  can  lead  to 
naught  but  unhappiness  for  them  both." 

'*  'Xis  a  great  shame,  your  Mightiness,"  the  dame 
burst  out  half  angrily.  '^  The  girl  is  a  lady  born, 
that  I'll  swear,  and  the  two  are  made  for  each  other. 
Why  cannot  the  Governor  give  his  consent?  " 

"  Make  up  your  mind  that  he  never  will,"  the 
Governor's  sister  declared.  *'  He  thinks  most  ex- 
cellently well  of  the  girl.  Praises  her  good  sense 
and  talks  of  being  in  her  debt.  There  is  nothing 
within  reason  he  would  not  do  for  her  an  she  asked 
it.  But  this  marriage  — 'tis  out  of  the  question. 
Judith  would  never  consent  even  if  my  brother 
would." 

"  Well,"  said  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  "  from  now  on, 
you  need  not  count  upon  me  to  thwart  them.     'Tis 


Annetje's  Answer  249 

too  late.  And  mark  my  words,  my  lady,  that 
prophecy  will  come  true.  Neither  you  nor  I  nor  the 
great  Governor  can  stop  it.  There's  naught  to 
hinder  them  running  off  to  Gravesend  where  they'll 
find  parsons  in  plenty  to  marry  them  —  and  that's 
what  'twill  come  to.  An  elopement,  your  Mighti- 
ness, is  what  you  may  expect,  and  I'll  not  raise  a 
hand  to  keep  my  girl  unhappy." 

There  was  no  gainsaying  that  the  goodwife's  pre- 
diction was  a  likely  one.  Mevrouw  Varleth  knew 
her  nephew  well  enough  to  count  upon  his  taking  any 
desperate  step  necessary  to  gain  his  ends,  and  she 
left  the  cottage  in  no  easy  frame  of  mind. 

Half  way  along  the  Marckveldt  Steegie,  toward 
the  Heere  Graft,  she  met  Annetje  and,  on  impulse, 
stopped  her.  She  could  make  a  fairly  accurate  guess 
of  what  Balthazar  would  do  if  he  were  forced  to 
the  wall  and  she  knew  her  brother's  disposition  well 
enough  to  be  sure  he  would  never  consent  to  such  a 
marriage.  But  what  about  the  girl?  She  meant  to 
find  out  then  and  there. 

She  halted  Annetje  with  a  pleasant  greeting  and 
then,  with  intention  to  surprise  her,  "  My  child,  do 
you  love  Balthazar?  "  she  asked. 

Annetje  opened  wide  her  eyes  in  amazement,  then 
seeing  the  earnestness  in  the  great  lady's  face,  she 
knew  that  this  was  no  matter  of  impertinent  curi- 
osity. 

"  Yes,  your  Mightiness,  I  love  him  very  truly," 
she  answered,  steadily. 

"  And  does  he  love  you?  "  was  the  next  question. 

**  He  has  said  he  does,  and  I  believe  him,"  she 
replied. 

^'  And  what  is  to  come  of  it,  child?  "  Mevrouw 
Varleth  exclaimed,  finding  herself  less  calm  than  this 
slim  girl  who  neither  blushed  nor  stammered,  but 


250  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

told  of  her  love  as  of  something  she  might  well  be 
proud  of.  "  He  cannot  marry  thee,"  the  lady  went 
on.  "  Neither  his  mother  nor  his  father  will  ever 
consent  and  — " 

"  I  know,"  Annetje  Interrupted.  "  We  have 
talked  of  that." 

"  And  Balthazar  would  have  thee  run  off  to 
Gravesend?     Is  that  it?" 

"  Nay,  I  think  he  scarce  meant  what  he  said," 
Annetje  rejoined. 

*'  But  If  he  did  mean  it?"  Mevrouw  Varleth  in- 
sisted. "  If  there  was  no  other  way,  and  you  saw 
him  unhappy  and  you  yourself  were  heartsick,  think 
you  not  that  he  might  persuade  you?  " 

'^  Oh,  no,  your  Mightiness,"  Annetje  answered, 
and  though  she  spoke  gently,  there  was  a  ring  of 
decision  in  her  voice.  ''  He  would  be  sorry  after  a 
while  and  —  and  I  could  bear  anything  better  than 
that!  You  need  not  fear,  Mevrouw  Varleth.  I 
shall  never  wed  Balthazar  unless  his  father  is  glad 
to  welcome  me  as  a  daughter." 

"  My  child,"  said  Mevrouw  Varleth,  after  a  long 
pause,  '*  I  do  not  think  Balthazar  Stuyvesant  could 
find  a  better  mate.  'Tis  easy  to  see  why  he  loves 
thee.  I  vow  I  love  thee  myself,  and  thou  mayest 
always  count  Anna  Varleth  thy  friend." 

And  of  a  sudden  she  leaned  toward  Annetje  and 
kissed  her. 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

A    FINE    DISH    OF    GOSSIP 

VROUW  PELGROM,  from  a  desire  to  avoid 
a  subject  she  was  in  no  mood  to  discuss,  did 
not  press  for  further  information  when  An- 
netje  announced  that  she  had  met  Mevrouw  Varleth 
upon  the  way  home.  Neither  did  the  girl  ask  the 
reason  for  the  great  lady's  visit.  They  talked  a 
little  of  the  Governor's  trip  to  Fort  Orange,  whither 
he  had  gone  on  business  concerning  the  Indians,  but 
both  had  a  deeper  interest  in  other  matters  just  then 
and  they  soon  relapsed  into  a  silence  that  was  hardly 
broken  till  bedtime. 

Meanwhile  Mevrouw  Varleth  found  herself 
speculating  upon  what  Annetje  had  told  her  and, 
indeed,  upon  all  she  knew  of  the  girl.  Being  as- 
sured that  she  might  count  upon  Annetje's  good 
sense,  she  was  minded  to  find  some  means  to  show 
her  friendship.  She  was  not  a  woman  to  make  such 
offers  lightly  and  she  had  been  drawn  to  the  girl 
from  the  first.  But  there  seemed  no  ready  way  to 
break  down  the  barriers  that  separated  the  sister  of 
the  Governor  from  the  nameless  maid  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom  had  taken  into  her  household. 

One  afternoon,  a  day  or  so  later,  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth decided  to  take  her  embroidery  and  go  to 
Whitehall  to  drink  a  dish  of  tea  with  her  sister-in- 
law,  Judith  Stuyvesant.  She  was  doubly  related  to 
this  lady,  her  first  husband  having  been  Samuel 
Bayard,  Judith's  brother;  but  there  was  little  in 
common  between  them,  though  their  relations  were 

251 


252  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

cordial  enough.  Judith  Stuyvesant's  household  was 
dainty  and  pretty  after  the  French  fashion  of  the 
time,  and  the  mistress  herself  was  as  little  like  the 
plain  and  sturdy  Dutch  as  was  the  fine  china  that 
graced  her  table  to  the  wooden  trenchers  of  the 
Hollanders. 

It  did  not  fit  in  at  all  with  Mevrouw  Varleth's 
plans  to  find  her  sister's  voorhuys  crowded  with 
many  guests,  chattering  while  they  drank  tea  out  of 
egg-shell  cups  and,  as  the  fashion  was,  alternating 
sips  of  the  beverage  with  tiny  bites  of  sugar  from  a 
piece  held  in  the  hand. 

The  talk  was  all  of  the  town's  politics,  which  just 
then  were  much  concerned  with  Indian  affairs.  The 
threatened  English  invasion  was  discussed  laugh- 
ingly by  the  frivolous,  who  jeered  at  the  possibility. 

"  I  vow  they  would  think  twice  before  attacking 
us,"  declared  young  Nicholas  William  Stuyvesant. 
"  My  father  would  make  short  work  of  them,  I'll 
be  bound." 

"  There  are  too  many  English  in  the  town,"  re- 
marked Mynheer  Kip. 

"  They  are  our  most  law-abiding  citizens,"  Me- 
vrouw Stuyvesant  said,  with  a  little  toss  of  her  head. 
"  His  High  Mightiness  esteems  them  highly." 

There  were  many  sly  murmurs  at  this,  for  it  was 
notorious  that  the  English  residents  were  in  great 
favour  with  the  old  dictator,  and,  though  their  loy- 
alty might  not  reasonably  be  questioned  by  the 
Dutch,  they  had  received  favours  that  made  them 
strong  as  well  as  unwelcome  competitors  in  trade. 

"  His  High  Mightiness  is  always  well  disposed  to 
those  who  ever  agree  with  him,"  pert  Maria  Van 
Cortlandt  whispered  to  her  neighbour. 

"  Aye,  no  matter  how  arbitrary  his  contention," 
was  the  answer  in  an  undertone. 


A  Fine  Dish  of  Gossip  253 

But  there  were  some  who  voiced  their  sentiments 
aloud,  for  it  was  characteristic  of  the  people  of 
Nieuw  Amsterdam  to  have  their  say  in  all  matters. 

"  The  English  are  loyal  enough  so  long  as  they 
are  given  their  own  way  and  are  protected  from  the 
Indians!"  exclaimed  a  portly  lady.  "But  how 
think  you,  madame,  they  would  stand  between  a 
Dutch  Governor  and  an  English  one?  " 

"  First  on  one  leg  and  then  on  the  other," 
Mademoiselle  de  Sille  murmured  under  her  breath, 
giggling  as  was  her  wont. 

*'  There's  little  likelihood  that  they  will  ever  be 
put  to  that  test,"  Mevrouw  Stuyvesant  retorted  In- 
differently, and  turned  to  a  servant  who  had  just 
entered  the  room. 

"What  Is  it,  Johannes?"  she  asked,  addressing 
the  house-man. 

"  An  it  please  your  ladyship,  there's  a  maid  ask- 
ing for  the  young  Heer  Balthazar,"  he  answered 
deferentially. 

"  A  maid  looking  for  Balthazar!  "  cried  Susanna 
de  Laet,  who  sat  near  by.  "  Faith,  never  have  I 
seen  Balthazar  look  twice  at  a  maid." 

Mademoiselle  de  Sille  giggled. 

"  Then  hast  thou  been  blind,  Susanna !  "  she  cried. 
"  I'll  wager  I  can  name  her.  Have  her  up,  Me- 
vrouw Stuyvesant.  I  vow  'twill  be  Interesting  to 
see  who  asks  so  boldly  for  the  Heer  Balthazar." 

"  Nay,  that  is  nonsense,"  Mevrouw  Varleth  said 
quickly.  "  'Tis  doubtless  some  matter  that  has  to 
do  with  the  farm.  I'll  see  to  It,  Judith.  You  don't 
want  a  milkmaid  clattering  wooden  shoes  on  your 
polished  floor."  She  rolled  up  her  embroidery  as 
she  spoke,  for  she  guessed  who  this  visitor  might  be 
and  was  not  minded  to  bring  her  before  such  a  scoff- 
ing throng. 


254  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

But  Judith  Stuyvesant,  although  fond  of  her  sister- 
in-law,  was  a  little  jealous  of  her.  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth's  influence  with  her  brother  was  too  great  in 
matters  where  the  Governor  would  not  think  of  con- 
sulting his  wife,  to  satisfy  the  dainty  lady's  pride. 
But  in  her  own  house  she  ruled  supreme  and  this  was 
a  good  chance  to  assert  her  authority,  which  she  was 
quick  to  seize  upon. 

*'  Nay,  sit  down,  Anna  my  dear,"  she  insisted 
pleasantly  enough.  *'  We  will  have  the  girl  up. 
I'm  not  minded  that  these  famous  gossips  should 
have  an  opportunity  to  fill  the  town  with  fantastic 
tales  of  Balthazar's  mysterious  visitor,"  and  she 
nodded  to  the  servant. 

There  was  a  buzz  of  excited  curiosity  among  the 
company,  while  Mevrouw  Varleth,  outwardly  calm, 
seated  herself  again,  a  little  troubled  and  hoped 
against  hope  that  her  surmise  concerning  this  visitor 
would  prove  incorrect.  She  could  have  shaken  little 
Mademoiselle  de  Sille  with  the  greatest  of  pleasure 
and  perhaps  under  other  circumstances,  might  not 
have  hesitated  to  do  so;  but  now  she  felt  that  fur- 
ther interference  would  only  make  matters  worse 
and  held  her  tongue;  alert  however  to  play  her  part 
when  the  time  came. 

And  her  fears  were  justified.  A  moment  or  two 
later  Annetje  stood  in  the  doorway  with  every  eye 
fixed  upon  her.  The  girl  was  surprised  to  find  so 
large  a  company  present,  but  her  errand  was  too 
important  for  her  to  dwell  upon  that.  She  had  not 
considered  what  her  reception  was  like  to  be  when 
she  determined  to  go  to  Whitehall,  knowing  that  the 
necessity  that  brought  her  there  was  sufliclent  excuse 
for  action. 

She  waited  for  the  mistress  of  the  house  to  speak, 


A  Fine  Dish  of  Gossip  255 

but  the  first  words  she  heard  came  from  another 
source. 

"  I've  won  my  wager !  "  Mademoiselle  de  Sille 
cried  shrilly,  at  which  there  was  a  general  titter 
among  the  other  fashionables. 

Judith  Stuyvesant  looked  at  Annetje  curiously,  not 
knowing  who  she  was,  but  conscious  that  there  was 
an  undercurrent  of  understanding  among  her  guests. 
This  irritated  her  and  she  spoke  coldly. 

"  You  asked  to  see  my  son,"  she  said.  "  Will  I 
not  do  as  well?  " 

Mechanically  Annetje  dropped  a  curtsey. 

"  Nay,  Mightiness,  'tis  Balthazar  I  must  see,"  she 
replied. 

The  name  slipped  out  unconsciously,  but  caused  a 
nudging  and  whispering  among  the  gay  party  which 
increased  Mevrouw  Stuyvesant's  annoyance.  She 
began  to  wish  that  she  had  let  her  sister-in-law  have 
her  way  about  this  tall,  slim,  peasant  girl  in  her 
rough  clothes. 

"  The  young  Heer  Stuyvesant  is  at  the  bouwerie," 
she  announced,  with  a  motion  as  if  of  dismissal. 

''  Then  must  I  find  my  way  there  at  once,"  Annetje 
murmured  half  to  herself. 

''  Nay,  that  is  quite  needless,"  Mevrouw  Stuyve- 
sant retorted. 

"  On  the  contrary,  your  Mightiness,"  Annetje  re- 
turned, positively  but  politely,  "  'tis  a  matter  of  such 
moment  to  the  whole  Province  that  word  must  be 
got  to  him  without  delay." 

"  Dear  me,"  cried  Mademoiselle  de  Sille  with 
patent  unbelief,  "  'tis  political  secrets,  I'll  be  bound. 
How  vastly  mysterious  and  exciting,"  and  she  ended 
with  a  derisive  laugh. 

*'  Nay,  'tis  no  secret,"  Annetje  replied  directly  to 


256  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

the  mocking  maid.  **  Yet  is  it  a  waste  of  time  to 
tell  any  save  Balthazar,  who  is  in  some  sort  his 
father's  deputy.  Still,  I  may  say  to  you  that  the 
English  ships  are  on  their  way  here,  after  all." 

For  a  moment  her  information  was  met  with  stolid 
silence,  though  Mevrouw  Varleth  stood  up  hastily; 
then  some  one  ventured  a  nervous  titter. 

"  'Tis  wonderful,"  said  a  dandy,  "  that  a  mere 
maid  should  have  this  information  before  the  au- 
thorities who  have  spies  everywhere." 

"  'Tis  well  known  that  our  spies  were  withdrawn," 
Annetje  retorted  with  flashing  eyes.  *'  But  in  any 
event  I  should  have  known  before  they  did." 

"  We  have  heard  enough,"  Mevrouw  Stuyvesant 
broke  in  angrily.  *'  You  cannot  expect  us  to  credit 
what  you  say." 

''  Judith!  "  Mevrouw  Varleth  said  incisively,  "  do 
you  not  know  who  this  maid  is?  She  has  her  infor- 
mation from  the  Indians  and  — " 

"Is  that  the  girl!"  cried  Mevrouw  Stuyvesant, 
and  would  have  gone  on,  had  not  her  sister-in-law 
stopped  her. 

*'  It  is  Annetje  Pelgrom,  Judith,  and  I  am  pleased 
to  have  you  know  that  I  am  her  good  friend.  I 
have  no  doubt  that  what  she  has  said  is  entirely  cor- 
rect, and  I,  for  one,  would  like  to  hear  more  of  what 
she  has  to  tell  us.  Is  it  true,  Annetje,"  she  went  on, 
addressing  the  girl  directly,  '*  that  English  ships 
have  been  sighted?  " 

*'  Four  frigates,  your  Mightiness,"  Annetje  re- 
plied.     "  The  Indians  have  just  sent  me  word." 

"Oh,  hoi"  sneered  the  dandy.  "She  would 
have  us  shake  in  our  shoes  on  the  word  of  a  redskin. 
'Tis  a  school  of  fishing  schooners  they  have  seen  or 
mayhap  the  Moody  yacht,  and,  being  cowards,  they 
magnified  such  boats  into  an  English  fleet." 


"  It  is  Annetje  Pelgrom,  Judith  " 


A  Fine  Dish  of  Gossip  257 

**  Aye,  and  had  this  printed  as  well,'*  cried  An- 
netje,  thoroughly  exasperated,  unrolling  a  broad- 
sheet for  all  to  see. 

They  looked  and  read  a  proclamation  offering 
safety  and  undisputed  possession  of  their  property 
to  all  people  who  would  submit  to  the  English  rule. 
In  a  moment  the  assembly  was  on  its  feet  amid  mur- 
murs of  consternation. 

''Whence  hast  thou  that,  Annetje?"  asked  Me- 
vrouw  Varleth  anxiously. 

"  It  has  been  spread  among  our  people  on  the 
Lange  Isleland,"  Annetje  answered.  "  The  ships 
are  coming  slowly,  but  the  brave  said  they  would 
soon  be  here." 

"  Balthazar  shall  be  told  at  once,"  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth assured  her  briskly,  and  then  turning  to  her 
sister-in-law,  "  I  think  we  all  owe  apologies  and 
thanks  for  so  prompt  a  warning,  Judith." 

"  Aye,  doubtless."  Mevrouw  Stuyvesant  fumbled 
in  her  velvet  bag  and  held  out  a  hand  to  the  girl. 

Annetje  unsuspectingly  took  it,  to  feel  a  coin 
pressed  into  her  palm. 

''What  is  this?"  she  exclaimed,  starting  back. 
*'  You  do  not  understand  the  Indians,  madame. 
What  they  did  was  for  love  of  me.  Any  attempt  at 
payment  would  be  an  insult." 

"  Indeed?  "  Judith  Stuyvesant  retorted.  "  How- 
ever, I  meant  it  not  for  them  but  for  you !  " 

The  red  blood  flamed  into  Annetje's  cheeks.  She 
heard  naught  of  Mevrouw  Varleth's  protests  nor 
the  murmurs  of  the  others  in  the  room.  She  looked 
at  Balthazar's  mother  for  an  instant,  then  dropping 
the  coin  upon  the  floor,  turned  and  left  the  house. 

Instinctively,  Annetje  made  for  the  open  country 
as  she  quitted  Whitehall.  Hardly  knowing  what 
she  did,  she  hurried  up  the  street,  her  cheeks  still 


258  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

burning  and  her  brain  in  a  whirl  of  angry  resent- 
ment. She  had  gone  there  bent  upon  doing  a  serv- 
ice, and  had  been  grossly  insulted  for  her  pains. 

As  she  went  on,  her  thoughts  came  clearer,  yet 
was  her  anger  not  cooled,  for  it  grew  more  apparent 
to  her  that  Mevrouw  Stuyvesant  had  been  quite  de- 
liberate in  her  action.  The  reason  for  it  the  girl 
could  not  explain,  though  she  asked  herself  "  Why? 
Why?  "  again  and  again. 

She  gained  the  open  fields  near  the  Maagde  Paetje 
and  came  to  herself  with  a  start  at  the  sound  of  a 
voice  which  she  could  not  at  the  moment  place. 

"  Well  met!  "  it  said.  "  Vrouw  Pelgrom  vowed 
she  knew  not  where  you  had  gone,  so  I  sought  you 
here." 

Annetje  turned  her  head  and  looked  into  the  face 
of  the  young  pedlar. 


CHAPTER  XXX 

THE    PRICE 

THERE  was  an  air  of  sprightly  assurance  about 
the  pedlar  as  if  matters  had  been  going  well 
with  him  and  he  smiled  confidently  as  he 
doffed  his  hat  to  Annetje.  His  dress  was  that  of 
a  common  Dutch  working  man  but  his  manner 
showed  little  of  the  humbleness  that,  in  those  days, 
was  thought  fit  accompaniment  to  such  apparel. 

Annetje  regarded  him  indifferently,  her  mind 
dwelling  upon  her  recent  experience  at  Whitehall. 

**  You  do  not  seem  particularly  glad  to  see  me,'' 
the  young  man  went  on,  quite  unabashed,  ^'  but  I 
warrant  you  will,  ere  you  have  heard  me  out.  I 
have  tidings  that  may  well  open  your  eyes." 

"  What  are  your  tidings?  "  Annetje  asked  coldly. 
She  was  but  half  aware  of  what  she  said,  being  still 
a  victim  of  her  outraged  feelings. 

"  Sit  here  on  the  stone  and  let  me  talk  to  you," 
the  man  replied  politely.     "  There  is  much  to  tell." 

"  Nay,  you  cannot  have  much  to  say  to  me,"  An- 
netje answered,  her  old  suspicion  of  him  returning. 
*'  I  have  more  important  things  to  think  about." 

*'  Can  there  be  anything  more  important  than  to 
know  who  you  are?  "  he  asked,  quickly. 

Instantly  Annetje's  attitude  toward  the  pedlar 
underwent  a  change.  Never  before  had  she  had  so 
Intense  a  desire  to  learn  of  her  origin;  for  with  that 
established  she  was  sure  that  she  would  not  again 

259 


26o  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

be  subjected  to  treatment  such  as  she  had  received 
at  the  hands  of  Mevrouw  Stuyvesant.  A-top  this 
thought  came  another.  All  her  heartaches  might 
be  banished,  for  once  her  rightful  position  in  the 
world  was  proven  there  would  no  longer  be  a  bar- 
rier between  herself  and  Balthazar.  She  never 
doubted  that  she  had  been  born  of  gentle  parents, 
and  at  the  moment,  there  seemed  naught  that  she 
would  not  do  to  gain  proof  of  her  birth. 

She  sat  down  quickly  and  looked  at  the  man  who 
stood  before  her,  and  the  expression  he  saw  in  her 
face  evidently  pleased  him,  for  his  lips  widened  into 
a  smile  of  satisfaction. 

"  I  am  impatient  for  you  to  begin,"  Annetje  cried 
eagerly.     "Who  am  I?" 

"  We  must  not  go  too  rapidly,"  he  answered 
blandly.  "  At  any  rate  you  are  not  one  of  these 
stupid  Dutch." 

"  You  have  said  that  before,"  Annetje  returned 
impatiently.     "  Now  I  must  know  why." 

*'  My  eyes  told  me  that  the  moment  I  saw  you," 
the  pedlar  rejoined.  "  But  there  were  other  circum- 
stances that  led  straight  to  the  conclusion.  Did  it 
ever  strike  you  as  being  peculiar  that  your  parents 
were  not  found,  even  though  word  of  your  rescue 
from  the  Indians  was  spread  wide?  " 

**  If  the  news  was  carried  only  to  the  Holland 
settlements  that  might  explain  it,  an  I  were  not 
Dutch,"  Annetje  replied.  "  I  have  considered  that 
possibility  many  times  since  I  first  spoke  with  you; 
but  it  is  too  late  to  do  aught  after  all  these  years." 

**  Might  there  not  have  been  reasons  for  not 
making  the  inquiries  too  searching?  "  the  pedlar  in- 
sisted. "  Suppose  that  it  was  to  the  interest  of 
some  Dutch  overlord  to  see  that  you  never  were 
found?" 


The  Price  261 

"What  do  you  mean  by  that?"  Annetje  de- 
manded. 

"  Suppose,  for  instance/'  the  man  suggested, 
"  that  there  was  a  little  English  maid,  who  was  the 
heiress  of  a  great  estate.  And  suppose  these  lands 
to  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  a  Dutchman,  seeing 
that  no  one  came  to  dispute  his  title  so  long  as  this 
maid  was  held  in  ignorance  of  her  parentage. 
Think  you  this  fat  burgher  would  shout  out  his 
knowledge  from  the  housetops?" 

*'  Nay,  I  think  he  would  not,"  agreed  Annetje, 
thoughtfully.  "  But  she  could  claim  the  inheritance 
even  at  this  late  date." 

'*  To  what  good  purpose?  "  the  pedlar  questioned, 
meaningly.  "  There's  many  a  twist  and  turn  in 
these  Dutch  laws  to  keep  a  Hollander  of  substance 
safe  from  any  claims  made  by  a  penniless  English 
maid.  Nay,  these  Company  men  hold  all  the  land 
without  just  right.  Lord  Baltimore  and  the  Earl  of 
Stirling  have  prior  titles  to  Nieuw  Amsterdam  itself, 
and  if  they  cannot  satisfy  their  claims  in  the  Dutch 
courts  think  you  a  child  would  be  better  treated?  " 

"  If  there  were  proof  she  might,"  Annetje  replied 
uncertainly. 

"Never!"  exclaimed  the  pedlar.  "Surely  you 
know  that  yourself.  What  care  these  high  and 
mighty  ones  for  any  but  their  own?  Nothing  I 
You  have  seen.  You  have  talked  to  these  Stuyve- 
sants  for  instance,  and  how  have  they  treated  you?  " 

"As  dirt  under  their  feet!"  cried  Annetje,  her 
anger  flaming  up  anew. 

"  There  is  your  proof,"  the  pedlar  murmured, 
surprised  at  her  vehemence.  "  Those  who  are  down 
will  be  kept  down,  no  matter  what  may  be  their 
just  due.  'Tis  only  force  that  will  bring  these 
Dutchmen  to  their  senses, —  but  that  is  coming." 


262  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

He  stopped,  looking  at  Annetje  to  see  how  she 
took  this  news,  thinking,  of  course,  that  she  could 
have  no  knowledge  of  what  was  In  his  mind. 

*'  I  know  that,  too,"  she  said. 

*'You!  What  do  you  know?"  he  stammered 
nervously. 

"  That  four  English  ships  of  war  are  sailing  to 
NIeuw  Amsterdam,"  she  replied  simply.  *'  The 
Indians  brought  me  the  news  today." 

**  Then  must  you  keep  the  matter  quiet,"  the  man 
said  hurriedly,  evidently  more  than  a  little  upset  at 
this.  '^  'TIs  the  expedition  sent  out  by  the  Duke  of 
York,  and  unless  all  signs  fail  this  will  be  an  English 
Colony  inside  the  week.  See  you  what  that  means 
to  the  little  maid  I  told  you  of?  " 

"  Nay,  I  do  not  think  I  do,"  Annetje  answered, 
puzzled  for  the  moment. 

"  Once  the  English  are  In  possession  of  the  land 
then  will  that  maid  be  given  her  rightful  position  In 
the  world,"  he  explained.  "  The  thieving  Dutch- 
man who  holds  her  estate  will  be  packed  off  and 
doubtless  punished,  and  she  will  take  back  all  that 
has  been  withheld  from  her.  Think  you  that  Is  not 
worth  working  for?" 

*'  Nay,  the  lands  Interest  me  not  at  all,"  Annetje 
replied  almost  passionately.  "  If  you  have  knowl- 
edge of  me  —  If  you  know  what  my  name  is  —  if 
you  can  tell  me  who  was  my  mother  —  pray  speak, 
for  'tis  that  I  wish  to  know  before  all  else." 

'*  There  is  a  price  to  pay,"  the  pedlar  answered, 
deliberately.  '*  And  'tis  to  your  Interest  to  pay  It. 
First  must  we  do  all  in  our  power  to  help  the  English 
take  the  town." 

"Why  should  I  help  the  English?"  asked  An- 
netje. 

"  Because  they  are  your  countrymen  and  mine," 


The  Price  263 

answered  the  pedlar.  "  Only  through  them  will 
your  rights  be  given  you.  Surely  you  owe  naught 
to  these  Dutch  who  have  treated  you  as  a  peasant, 
too  low  to  associate  with  their  Mevrouwen  and  Juf- 
frouwen.  Think  you  I  did  not  understand  why 
these  common  girls  who  wash  their  linen  in  the  brook 
complained  that  you  were  a  haughty  maid  who 
thought  yourself  above  them?  Indeed  you  are 
above  them,  being  born  a  gentlewoman,  and  when 
our  ships  have  come  and  the  Dutch  are  put  in  their 
places,  then  will  you  take  your  own  and  such  will 
be  your  position  that  the  Governor's  lady  will  be 
glad  to  welcome  you  to  her  house." 

"  What  must  I  do?  "  Annetje  cried,  springing  up. 
The  man's  words  had  found  their  echo  in  her  heart. 
She  was  eager  to  be  upon  the  way  to  wipe  out  the 
recent  insult  she  had  suffered.  "  Tell  me  what  a 
maid  can  do?  " 

The  pedlar  looked  about  him  to  make  sure  they 
were  alone,  then  spoke  in  an  undertone. 

"  'Tis  naught  you  cannot  easily  accomplish  if  you 
set  about  it,"  he  explained.  "  'Tis  a  knowledge  of 
the  resources  of  the  town  we  would  have.  What 
provision  they  have  to  withstand  a  siege?  How 
much  powder  there  is  on  hand  and  the  number  of 
their  guns?  What  grain  is  there  in  the  fort,  and 
how  many  men  can  they  count  upon  to  defend  the 
town?  Bring  me  the  answer  to  those  questions,  and 
right  gladly  will  I  repay  in  kind." 

"But  how  can  I  find  out  such  things?"  asked 
Annetje. 

*'  I  know  of  no  one  who  could  discover  them  more 
easily,"  he  replied  significantly.  "  They  are  doubt- 
lessly well  known  to  one  of  your  friends.  A  clever 
girl  like  you  should  have  no  trouble  in  getting  the 
information  we  seek." 


264  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

His  meaning  was  plain  enough,  but  Annetje,  her 
mind  set  in  another  direction,  scarce  heard  him. 
The  happy  prospect  that  the  man's  words  opened 
to  her  filled  her  thoughts. 

With  scarce  more  than  a  nod  she  left  him,  turn- 
ing her  steps  toward  home  In  a  dream,  and  he,  watch- 
ing her,  smiled  confidently  to  himself,  satisfied  that 
he  would  get  what  he  wanted  though  she  had  not, 
indeed,  committed  herself  In  any  way.  Nevertheless 
his  story  of  the  lands  she  would  Inherit  seemed  to 
him  to  promise  a  very  great  reward  for  the  service 
he  asked  of  her. 

Meanwhile  at  Whitehall  matters  were  going  for- 
ward at  a  rapid  rate.  Annetje  had  scarce  quitted 
the  house  when  the  gay  company  quickly  melted 
away,  anxious  to  spread  the  news,  and  Mevrouw 
Stuyvesant  and  her  sister-in-law  faced  each  other 
alone. 

"  So  that  is  the  saucy  jade  who  has  been  striving 
to  catch  my  Balthazar's  fancy!"  cried  the  Gov- 
ernor's lady  in  a  passion. 

**  Nay,  Judith,"  answered  Mevrouw  Varleth, 
"  the  girl  is  neither  a  jade  nor  has  she  ever  a  thought 
of  catching  thy  Balthazar,  though  I  tell  thee  flat  he 
would  be  lucky  to  wed  her." 

*'  I  always  suspected  thee  of  having  low  taste, 
Anna,"  Mevrouw  Stuyvesant  burst  out.  "  Thou 
hast  ever  a  word  for  the  common  folk  who,  unless 
they  are  kept  In  their  places,  are  like  to  make  the 
world  impossible  to  live  in  for  such  as  we." 

"  Let  us  talk  no  more  of  that,"  her  sister-in-law 
replied,  "  except  this,  that  I  came  to  tell  thee.  The 
girl  Annetje  will  ne'er  trouble  thee.  I  had  it  from 
her  own  lips  that  without  Peter's  consent  she  will 
never  marry  Balthazar.  That  should  set  thy  mind 
at  ease.     Now  as  to  this  English  business?  " 


The  Price  265 

"Dost  believe  what  she  told  thee?'*  asked  the 
Governor's  lady. 

"  Aye,  I  cannot  do  aught  else.  But  let  that  rest 
for  the  time  being.  The  other  matter  is  most  seri- 
ous, Judith,"  replied  Mevrouw  Varleth. 

*'  I  wish  Peter  were  here,"  said  Mevrouw  Stuyve- 
sant,  twisting  the  chains  of  her  gold  chatelaine 
around  her  dainty,  pointed  fingers. 

"  He  must  be  sent  for  at  once,"  Mevrouw  Var- 
leth announced  energetically,  but  ere  she  had  finished 
Balthazar  entered  the  room. 

His  mother  looked  at  him  In  complete  surprise, 
and  he,  misinterpreting  her  glance,  began  to  protest. 

'*  Nay,  mother,  thou  needst  not  scold,"  he  began. 
"  I  will  not  stay  buried  out  at  the  bouwerie.  If  I 
cannot  remain  here  I'll  find  a  lodging  of  my  own." 

"  Indeed  we  are  most  glad  to  see  thee,  Balthazar,'* 
his  aunt  cried. 

"  Aye,  indeed  we  are,"  his  mother  echoed.  "  I 
would  rather  you  were  here  to  receive  your  curious 
visitors.  That  girl  came  into  my  drawing-room  de- 
manding you  by  name.  'Twas  most  embarrassing, 
I  do  assure  you." 

''  You  mean  Annetje  was  here?  "  demanded  Bal- 
thazar, looking  from  one  to  the  other  of  the  women. 

"  Aye,"  replied  his  aunt.  "  She  came  here  with 
a  good  purpose  and  thy  mother  herself  invited  her 
Into  the  voorhuys.  The  English  fleet  are  on  the 
way  after  all.  She  had  word  of  It  from  her  Indians 
and  ran  straight  here  to  give  warning.  Here  is  the 
proclamation  these  rascally  Britishers  are  putting  out 
among  our  people,"  and  she  handed  him  the  broad- 
sheet Annetje  had  left  behind  her. 

Balthazar  needed  but  a  glance  at  the  printed  page 
to  get  Its  meaning  and  then,  like  his  aunt,  he  was 
ready  to  act. 


266  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  Our  fastest  sloop  must  be  sent  at  once  for  my 
father,"  he  announced,  turning  to  the  door.  *'  We 
have  scant  time  to  do  aught  but  parley  with  the  Eng- 
lish, or  I  am  greatly  mistaken.  Still  must  we  take 
what  measures  are  possible,  though  'tis  too  late  now 
to  put  ourselves  in  any  real  state  of  defence." 

"Dost  thou  really  believe  that  it  Is  serious?" 
asked  his  mother.  "  Our  assurances  from  Holland 
were  quite  explicit  that  the  expedition  was  a  peaceful 
one." 

"  Aye,  and  in  consequence  we  have  wasted  three 
weeks  in  which  we  might  have  prepared  against 
attack,"  Balthazar  answered.  '*  What  Is  to  be  done 
I  do  not  know,  unless  it  be  to  treat  with  the  English 
and  secure  as  good  terms  as  we  can  get." 

The  instant  danger  threatened  Mevrouw  Stuyve- 
sant  became  a  wholly  different  woman.  She  lacked 
not  force  and  power  in  spite  of  her  dainty  French 
ways  and  she  was  not  one  to  shirk  a  duty  nor  tremble 
in  the  face  of  an  enemy. 

"  For  shame,  Balthazar  I  "  she  cried.  "  Art  thou 
a  son  of  Peter  Stuyvesant  and  talk  of  naught  but 
treating  with  these  British  robbers?  For  shame  1 
Right  well  thou  shouldst  know  thy  father  will  die 
ere  he  will  give  up  the  city  to  them.  Let  me  hear 
no  more  of  such  talk,"  and  she  swept  out  of  the  room 
to  prepare  a  dispatch  for  her  husband. 

Balthazar  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  turned  to 
his  aunt. 

*'  'Tis  all  very  well  to  talk  boldly,  but  I  cannot 
shut  my  eyes  to  the  facts.  Aunt  Anna,"  he  said  bit- 
terly. '*  Nevertheless  we  must  do  all  that  we  can, 
and  I  will  not  loiter  here.  Wilt  thou  lend  me  thy 
negroes,  for  I  shall  start  storing  grain  ere  my  father's 
arrival?  There  will  be  little  enough  if  we  are  to 
stand  a  siege." 


The  Price  267 

His  aunt  nodded  In  answer,  and  turning  on  his 
heel  he  left  the  room  hurriedly,  to  carry  out  such 
measures  of  preparation  as  were  possible. 

Mevrouw  Varleth  looked  thoughtfully  out  of  the 
window  for  a  few  moments.  Then  she  rang  the 
bell  for  the  servants  to  come  and  clear  the  room. 
British  or  no  British,  she  was  a  Dutch  housewife  and 
liked  not  to  see  soiled  cups  standing  about. 

Late  In  the  afternoon  of  that  same  day  Balthazar 
visited  the  cottage  on  the  Marckveldt  Steegie  and 
found  two  silent  people  within. 

Annetje  upon  her  return  from  seeing  the  pedlar 
had  said  not  a  word  to  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  and  the  fat 
dame  had  tried  in  vain  to  coax  some  Information  out 
of  her.  The  girl  kept  going  over  and  over  in  her 
mind  her  experiences  of  the  past  few  hours,  but  all 
became  insignificant  beside  the  one  important  fact 
that  the  information  she  sought  about  herself  was 
now  within  reach.  Doubtless  because  she  had  once 
been  mistaken  in  her  judgment  of  the  pedlar,  she  no 
longer  questioned  his  honesty  and  was  sure  he  could 
give  her  the  information  she  most  wanted. 

'*  I  have  but  to  tell  him  how  many  men  there  are, 
how  much  powder  there  is  and  what  quantity  of  food 
is  on  hand  against  a  siege."  This  thought  took 
possession  of  her  and  she  kept  repeating  the  words 
over  and  over  in  her  mind.  She  did  not  consider 
how  she  was  to  obtain  these  facts.  They  were 
necessary  If  she  was  to  learn  her  name  and  circum- 
stances in  the  world,  and  she  could  not  stop  to  take 
account  of  the  difficulties. 

Nor  had  she  as  yet  contemplated  the  consequences 
of  furnishing  this  information  to  the  English  who 
were  about  to  attack  the  town.  The  Hollanders  she 
knew  and  was  one  of  them  In  all  her  ways,  no  matter 
what  her  blood  might  be.     She  had  the  same  preju- 


268  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

dices  against  the  British  that  all  of  her  neighbours 
harboured,  and  looked  upon  the  threatening  invaders 
as  ill-mannered  foreigners. 

The  inheritance  which  the  pedlar  had  plainly 
hinted  would  come  to  her  in  the  event  of  a  change 
of  Government  weighed  not  a  grain  in  her  decision. 
It  was  the  treatment  she  had  received  from  Mev- 
rouw  Stuyvesant  which  still  stung  her  to  the  heart, 
and  the  longing  she  had  always  had  to  know  her 
parentage  was  but  intensified  by  the  day's  experience. 
Who  was  she?  The  answer  to  that  question  was  all 
she  asked,  and  the  means  to  that  end  seemed  in 
sight. 

Balthazar  she  greeted  shyly,  though  she  was  in- 
deed glad  to  see  him.  She  had  never  seen  him  with 
his  mother  and  did  not  connect  him  with  her  recent 
rude  treatment. 

*'  I  hope  you  have  missed  me,"  he  said,  as  he  took 
her  hand.  *'  I  have  been  cooped  up  in  that  dismal 
bouwerie  and  was  never  so  lonesome  in  my  life." 

*'  We  wondered  where  you  were,  didn't  we,  An- 
netje?"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  answered  for  them  both. 
Having  laid  Annetje's  low  spirits  to  his  absence,  she 
was  genuinely  rejoiced  to  see  the  lad  and  made  no 
secret  of  it. 

*'  I  only  came  for  a  minute,"  he  went  on.  "  This 
news  you  brought  us,  Annetje,  has  greatly  upset  the 
town,  and  my  father,  being  at  Fort  Orange  every- 
thing is  at  sixes  and  sevens." 

*'  Now  what  is  this  news  you  talk  of?  "  demanded 
Vrouw  Pelgrom. 

Balthazar  told  her  forthwith  and  there  was  a  fine 
explosion. 

"  And  do  you  mean  me  to  believe,"  she  ended, 
"  that  the  assurance  we  had  from  our  great  Com- 
pany about  this  English  expedition  was  false?  " 


The  Price  269 

"  It  would  seem  so,"  replied  Balthazar,  nigh  as 
excited  as  she.  "  And  what  we  shall  do  I  cannot 
think." 

"  Oh,  your  father  will  send  them  to  the  right  about 
fast  enough,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  assured  him  confi- 
dently. *'  The  Director  General  is  a  fine  soldier 
and—" 

"  Aye,  that  may  be,"  Balthazar  answered,  "  but 
he  has  but  a  handful  of  men  at  his  call.  Scarce  four 
hundred  to  be  exact.  And  remember  too,  there  are 
many  EngHsh  in  the  town,  and  you  may  say  what 
they  will  do  as  well  as  I." 

'*  Aye,  aye !  I  have  always  thought  we  harboured 
too  many  malignant  foreigners.  But  we  have  the 
Fort,"  Vrouw  Pelgrom  suggested. 

"  We  have  —  and  it  is  built  only  for  defence 
against  the  Indians.  Moreover  there  is  no  food  in 
it,"  Balthazar  replied.  *'  Had  we  gone  on  with  our 
preparations  three  weeks  since,  all  might  have  been 
well.  At  least  we  should  have  had  a  chance.  But 
now  we  are  at  their  mercy.  We  have  twenty  old 
guns  on  the  fort  and  what  food  we  can  put  into  it 
before  the  British  arrive.  As  to  powder,  there  are 
some  six  hundred  pounds,  a  mere  nothing  if  it  comes 
to  a  battle.     I  greatly  fear  there  is  naught  for  us  — " 

So  far  Annetje  heard  and  then,  suddenly  realized 
that  here  was  the  information  she  sought,  given  to 
her  without  the  asking.  A  feeling  of  gladness  came 
over  her,  only  to  be  followed  in  a  moment  by  the 
realization  of  how  she  had  acquired  this  knowledge 
and  a  glimpse  of  the  consequences.  Was  it  because 
Balthazar  was  her  friend  the  pedlar  had  come  to 
her  to  get  these  facts  ?  On  the  instant  her  conscience 
revolted  and  she  cried  out  to  him: 

"  Stop,  Balthazar  I  You  must  not  tell  these 
things  to  me  1  " 


270  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

**  Why  not?"  he  asked,  surprised  at  her  vehe- 
mence. 

*'  There  are  reasons  a-plenty  that  this  information 
should  not  be  noised  abroad." 

"  Aye,  there  I  agree;  but  you  and  Vrouw  Pelgrom 
v/ill  scarce  run  to  the  English  with  the  news  that  we 
are  ill-prepared  to  receive  them."  Balthazar  smiled 
at  the  thought. 

''  You  can  surely  trust  us,  Heer  Balthazar," 
Vrouw  Pelgrom  put  in.  "  Annetje  is  no  gossip  and 
I  am  too  fat  to  go  about  the  town,  so  that  my  long 
tongue  is  no  menace." 

''  Of  course  I  trust  you,"  Balthazar  said  earnestly, 
gazing  into  Annetje's  eyes  as  he  spoke. 

A  moment  later  he  was  gone,  to  play  his  part  in 
doing  all  that  was  possible  to  make  the  town  secure 
against  the  threatened  attack. 

Vrouw  Pelgrom  talked  volubly  for  a  time,  but 
meeting  scant  response  went  off  to  bed  in  something 
of  a  huff. 

In  the  darkness  Annetje  lay  wide-eyed. 

"  He  trusts  me.  He  trusts  me!  "  she  murmured, 
over  and  over  to  herself  and  the  Ratel  Wacht  had 
called  the  hour  many  times  ere  she  finally  went  to 
sleep. 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

THE    ENGLISH    ARRIVE 

IF,  In  the  town  of  Nieuw  Amsterdam,  there  were 
any  who  doubted  the  coming  of  the  English 
their  hopes  were  shattered  when,  upon  a  Friday 
morning,  four  warships  flying  the  cross  of  St.  George 
anchored  in  the  Narrows. 

Three  days  before  Governor  Stuyvesant  had  ar- 
rived in  hot  haste  from  Fort  Orange  and  set  all  to 
work  upon  necessary  tasks.  The  palisades  and  the 
Fort  were  the  main  defences  to  be  put  In  readiness, 
but  the  feeding  of  the  people  was  a  matter  of  no 
less  importance  and  the  old  Director  General  put 
all  the  slaves  he  could  muster  to  grinding  corn  night 
and  day,  to  be  stored  against  the  threatened  attack. 

Rumours  in  plenty  buzzed  among  the  people,  and 
already  the  timid  talked  of  giving  up  the  city  without 
resistance,  but  they  reckoned  without  their  Head- 
strong Peter  who  drove  them  ruthlessly  and  listened 
to  no  advice  that  even  hinted  of  aught  but  battle 
to  the  end. 

*'  Are  you  ready  to  hand  over  your  homes  and 
your  lands  to  these  British  robbers?"  he  cried  to 
those  who  talked  of  parleys. 

**  Their  proclamations  guarantee  not  to  disturb  us 
in  the  possession  of  our  property,"  was  the  answer. 

''  And  I  have  no  faith  In  their  proclamations," 
the  Director  General  retorted.     "  Is  not  our  name 

271 


272  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

for  a  swindle,  '  an  English  bargain?  '  "  and  In  the 
fear  that  indeed  he  might  be  right,  and  that  they 
would  lose  all  they  had  in  the  world,  the  Dutch  for 
a  time,  kept  feverishly  at  their  labours,  while  their 
wooden-legged  master  stumped  about  the  town,  giv- 
ing his  orders  right  and  left  in  a  voice  that  boded  ill 
for  any  who  opposed  him. 

Annetje,  during  this  period,  had  been  maintaining 
a  fierce  struggle  with  herself.  Balthazar  she  scarce 
saw,  for  she  went  abroad  as  little  as  possible  and 
Vrouw  Pelgrom,  noting  her  reluctance  to  leave  the 
house,  forbore  to  send  her  upon  errands  that  could 
be  avoided. 

Yet  it  was  In  truth  the  pedlar  who  kept  her  within- 
doors. No  sooner  did  she  appear  upon  the  streets 
than  he  was  at  her  side,  asking  for  her  news;  at 
which  she  always  shook  her  head,  saying  that  she 
had  no  information  for  him. 

*'  Nor  are  you  like  to  get  it  If  you  seek  it  not?  " 
he  blustered,  and  when  she  answered  nothing,  grew 
angry  and  told  her  flatly  she  need  never  hope  to  find 
out  who  she  was  unless  she  acted  quickly,  for  he 
was  in  a  fair  way  to  learn  what  he  wanted  without 
her  help. 

Thus  It  came  about  that  the  gossip  of  the  town 
was  brought  to  the  cottage  in  the  Marckvelt  Steegie 
by  Madaleen  Wittsen,  glad  to  recount  the  events  that 
grew  in  importance  from  day  to  day,  to  old  Vrouw 
Pelgrom,  who  wisely  predicted  the  fall  of  the  town 
or  the  defeat  of  the  English  in  accordance  with  the 
rumours  that  were  brought  to  her. 

But  in  truth  there  was  little  encouragement  for 
the  hope  that  the  Dutch  would  be  able  to  defend 
their  city  and  each  hour  that  passed  brought  more 
and  more  of  the  burghers  to  that  way  of  thinking. 
Their  chief  anxiety  was  for  the  terms  the  British 


The  English  Arrive  273 

would  offer,  and  the  excitement  became  intense  when 
a  company  of  gentlemen,  sent  by  Colonel  Richard 
Nicholls  who  commanded  the  expedition,  landed  one 
Saturday  morning  under  a  flag  of  truce.  They  came 
with  a  formal  summons  for  the  surrender  of  the 
town  in  the  name  of  Charles  II,  but  promised  to 
confirm  to  every  man  who  submitted  to  the  King's 
authority  his  Hfe,  liberty  and  estate. 

The  Director  General,  little  minded  to  do  aught 
but  fight,  summoned  the  council  to  discuss  these  con- 
ditions but  although  many  of  the  burghermeesters 
and  schepens  were  ready  to  accept  them  then  and 
there,  he  said  roundly  that  he  was  determined  to 
defend  his  post  and  refused  to  let  the  people  know 
what  the  English  offered.  The  work  went  on  as 
before,  but  the  murmurs  grew  louder  and  louder  and 
'twas  soon  necessary  for  the  old  dictator  to  go  him- 
self to  the  Stadthuys  and  confront  a  mass  meeting 
that  threatened  to  act  without  his  consent. 

'*  Let  us  see  the  terms  and  conditions  the  English 
offer?  "  they  cried,  and  though  he  stormed  at  them, 
rating  them  roundly  for  cowards,  yet  was  he  in  the 
end  forced  to  do  their  bidding,  and  produce  the  de- 
sired document. 

Meanwhile,  Stuyvesant  to  gain  time,  had  sent  his 
council  to  argue  the  matter  with  Colonel  Nicholls, 
for  there  was  much  legal  ground  for  dispute  against 
the  English  claim,  yet  these  Ambassadors  returned 
with  naught  to  encourage  further  resistance. 

*'  What  said  he?  "  demanded  Stuyvesant. 

*'  That  on  Tuesday  he  would  speak  to  us  on  Man- 
hattan Island,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Didst  tell  him  we  should  welcome  friendly  inter- 
course? "  asked  the  Governor. 

"  Aye,  but  he  told  us  flatly  that  he  would  come 
with  ships  and  soldiers  and  that  it  would  be  a  bold 


274  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

messenger  who  would  venture  aboard  his  vessels  to 
solicit  terms,"  was  the  rejoinder. 

*'  That  leaves  us  naught  to  do  but  fight,"  cried 
Stuyvesant,  rejoicing  that  the  English  were  forcing 
his  rebellious  people  to  take  the  line  he  most  desired. 
*'  We  shall  try  to  be  ready  for  him." 

"  Nay,"  answered  Burghermeester  Van  Cortlandt, 
'*  there  was  a  further  message.  NichoUs  told  us 
that  if  we  should  hoist  the  white  flag  of  peace  at  the 
fort  he  would  take  something  Into  consideration." 

"  Did  he  so !  "  shouted  Stuyvesant,  angrily. 
"  Never  will  he  see  that  white  flag  raised  while  I 
am  alive!  " 

"  Then  wilt  thou  defend  it  by  thyself,"  Steenwyck 
asserted.  "  Of  what  use  is  it,  your  High  Mighti- 
ness, to  have  the  town  bombarded,  when  the  end  is 
certain?  We  cannot  defend  it  adequately.  We 
have  neither  the  men  nor  the  powder." 

''  But  the  English  do  not  know  that,"  the  Gov- 
ernor roared  back.  "  If  we  keep  a  stiff  front  they 
will  think  twice  ere  they  attack,  believing  we  are 
better  prepared  than  we  are.  And  let  me  gain  but 
a  week  more  and  we  shall  be  prepared." 

There  was  a  stormy  session,  and  again  the  people 
came  shouting  for  surrender;  but  the  stouthearted 
old  Governor  budged  not  an  inch  and  drove  the  men 
to  work  upon  the  defences.  To  all  he  showed  an 
uncompromising  front.  His  courage  heartened 
some  and  shamed  others,  and  for  a  time  none  dared 
to  defy  him  openly. 

But  on  the  morning  of  September  fifth  any  hope 
that  there  might  be  a  way  found  to  avoid  a  battle 
and  still  save  the  province  to  the  Dutch  was  ended. 
Up  the  Narrows  came  the  English  fleet  under  full 
sail  and  anchored  between  the  Fort  and  Nutten 
Island.     There  was  little  doubt  now  of  the  outcome. 


The  English  Arrive  275 

English  soldiers  had  gathered  from  Connecticut,  and 
it  was  believed  that  six  hundred  savages  had  rein- 
forced this  company,  so  that  the  town  was  be- 
leaguered on  the  land  side,  while  on  both  rivers 
Nicholls'  fleet  with  cleared  decks  guarded  all  ap- 
proaches, ready  to  bombard  the  encircled  city. 

Outside  the  Fort  the  people  clamoured  for  peace 
and  surrender;  but  Inside,  in  one  of  the  angles  of  the 
bastion  was  the  Governor  and  nearby  a  gunner  with 
a  burning  match,  awaiting  his  orders  to  fire  upon  the 
hostile  vessels.  With  him  was  de  SlUe  and  the 
Dominie  Megapolensis  and  both  were  urging  to  their 
utmost  the  uselessness  of  giving  battle. 

"  'Tis  a  matter  of  desperation  rather  than  sol- 
diership to  try  to  hold  the  fort,"  the  Vice-Governor 
pleaded. 

"  Nay,  an  we  face  them  boldly  they  will  draw 
off,"  Stuyvesant  replied  stubbornly.  "  They  little 
know  how  ill-prepared  we  are." 

"  'Twould  be  strange  an  they  did  not,"  de  Sllle 
replied.  "  There  are  English  enough  in  the  town 
to  give  the  information." 

"  But  even  they  do  not  know  It,"  the  Governor 
Insisted. 

"  They  may  not  be  exactly  informed — "  de  Sille 
began,  but  the  Governor  interrupted  him  curtly. 
He  had  made  up  his  mind  to  fight,  and  clung  desper- 
ately to  his  one  argument  in  favour  of  giving  battle. 

"  Will  naught  prevail  upon  your  High  Mighti- 
ness? "  asked  the  Dominie. 

"  Nay,  I  must  act  in  obedience  to  my  orders  from 
the  Company,"  replied  Stuyvesant. 

"  But  it  is  madness  I  "  the  Dominie  Insisted,  lay- 
ing his  hand  lovingly  on  the  other's  shoulder.  ''  Do 
you  not  see  that  there  Is  no  help  either  to  the  north 
or  to  the  south,  to  the  east  or  to  the  west?     What 


276  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

will  our  twenty  guns  do  in  the  face  of  the  sixty-two 
which  are  pointed  toward  us  on  yonder  frigates? 
Pray  do  not  be  the  first  to  shed  blood." 

Ere  the  Governor  could  answer,  a  paper  was 
thrust  into  his  hand  and  his  face  went  red  with 
anger.  It  was  a  petition  signed  by  ninety-three  of 
the  principal  citizens,  including  burghermeesters  and 
schepens  urging  him  to  spare  the  city.  He  read  it 
through,  but  he  had  little  thought  for  any  but  one 
name  on  the  list. 

"  So  !  "  he  roared.  **  My  son  Is  one  of  these  cow- 
ards! "  For  indeed  Balthazar  had  signed  with  the 
others.  "  I  had  rather  be  carried  to  my  grave  than 
grant  it." 

The  argument  waxed  hot,  those  about  him  beg- 
ging him  to  submit  to  the  inevitable,  but  still  he 
maintained  that  the  English  were  without  accurate 
knowledge  of  the  true  state  of  affairs.  Then  as 
he  talked  another  voice  broke  in  upon  the  discussion. 

"Your  High  Mightiness!"  cried  Annetje,  run- 
ning forward  to  where  he  stood.  "  A  spy  Is  even 
now  signalling  to  the  British.  He  Is  telling  them 
how  ill-prepared  we  are.  Look,  your  High  Might- 
iness. Watch  the  sails  of  the  windmill,"  and  she 
pointed  to  the  east. 

All  upon  the  fort  gazed  in  the  direction  she  Indi- 
cated, and  sure  enough  the  long  arms  of  the  wind- 
mill made  strange  motions  not  directed  by  the  wind, 
to  which  one  of  the  ships  returned  an  answering 
signal. 

''  What  Is  the  meaning  of  this,  child?  "  demanded 
the  Governor,  turning  to  Annetje. 

"  'TIs  the  work  of  a  spy,  your  High  Mightiness," 
she  answered.  "  He  has  pretended  to  be  a  pedlar 
and  came  to  Vrouw  Pelgrom  for  her  wares.  Then 
he  tried  to  bribe  me  to  give  him  news  that  would 


The  English  Arrive  277 

help  the  English.  I  refused,  and  today,  while  I 
was  upon  an  errand  he  boasted  that  he  knew  we 
had  but  four  hundred  men  and  six  hundred  pounds 
of  powder.  Then  I  came  with  all  speed  to  warn 
your  High  Mightiness." 

For  an  instant  there  was  a  profound  silence  as 
all  in  the  little  group  watched  the  Governor,  knovv^Ing 
something  of  the  struggle  that  was  going  on  within 
him.  His  last  excuse  for  not  hoisting  the  white 
flag  was  gone  and  he  stood  alone,  deserted  by  his 
friends,  threatened  by  his  enemies,  a  strong  man 
beaten  by  circumstances  which  he  had  tried  hard  to 
anticipate.  'Twas  no  fault  of  his  if  they  were  Ill- 
prepared,  and  there  were  excuses  in  plenty  for  his 
surrendering  a  province  his  great  West  India  Com- 
pany in  Holland  had  treated  with  shameful  Indif- 
ference; but  he  was  a  soldier  and,  come  what  might, 
he  was  ever  ready  to  stand  fearlessly  at  his  post. 
For  himself  he  would  gladly  have  died  there,  but 
he  was  by  no  means  indifferent  to  the  suffering  of 
others.  His  people  and  their  affairs  were  dear  to 
his  heart  even  when  he  ranted  at  them,  and  now  he 
could  not  but  see  that  to  resist  longer  Invited  a 
useless  sacrifice. 

He  tossed  his  head  as  a  spirited  horse  flings  back 
Its  mane  and  gave  the  order  that  was  to  save  the 
town. 

"  Run  up  the  white  flag!  "  he  cried,  and  then  to 
the  group  of  soldiers  near,  "  Go  fetch  me  that  man 
who  signalled  from  the  windmill.  Waste  no  time 
upon  the  way  but  bring  him  to  the  council  chamber 
In  the  Governor's  House  forthwith.  I  like  not  spies 
and  there  Is  yet  time  to  deal  with  this  one." 

He  watched  a  moment  to  see  that  his  commands 
were  carried  out,  listening  to  the  cheers  that  came 
up  from  the  town,  glanced  at  the  fluttering  white 


278  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

flag  on  a  pole  nearby  and  then,  averting  his  gaze  as 
if  he  could  not  bear  to  look  at  it,  he  walked  un- 
falteringly away. 

Annetje  followed  him  in  his  slow  walk  to  the 
house.  Should  the  pedlar  be  seized  she  saw  a  way 
to  force  the  knowledge  she  longed  to  have  out  of 
him  remembering  that  the  Governor  had  promised 
his  friendship  and  acknowledged  he  owed  her  a  debt. 
Here  was  his  chance  to  repay  it.  She  lacked  not 
the  courage  to  ask,  and  went  straight  to  the  council 
chamber  in  the  wake  of  the  man  who  in  a  little  must 
give  up  his  splendid  titles  and  be  known  as  plain 
Peter  Stuyvesant. 


CHAPTER  XXXII 

A   NEW   NAME    FOR   AN    OLD   TOWN 

THE  Governor's  House  within  the  Fort  was 
deserted  when  Annetje  reached  it.  Great 
Stuyvesant's  own  halberdiers  had  forgotten 
their  duty  and  were  rejoicing  with  the  people  out- 
side, so  there  was  a  strange  quiet  in  the  empty  man- 
sion. The  girl  paused  at  the  threshold  a  moment 
and  heard  the  sharp  thud  of  the  Governor's  wooden 
leg  as  he  crossed  the  hall  and  the  scrape  of  the  chair 
as  he  seated  himself.  Then  she  pushed  open  the 
door  and  went  in. 

Stuyvesant  looked  up,  scowling  as  she  entered  the 
room  but,  recognizing  her,  his  face  softened. 

"  Thy  news  was  none  too  welcome,  child,"  he  said 
in  a  low  tone.  ''  I  had  rather  died  sword  in  hand, 
than  play  the  poltroon  as  I  have  this  day." 

"  Nay,  your  High  Mightiness,"  Annetje  answered 
boldly,  "  none  dare  call  you  poltroon,  now  or  ever!  " 

He  eyed  her  a  moment  and  for  the  first  time  the 
girl  realized  that  he  was  indeed  an  old  man.  So 
active  had  he  been  in  the  life  of  the  town,  so  untiring 
his  energy,  that  'twas  scarce  believable  that  he  was 
past  seventy  years  old;  but  now,  in  this  moment  of 
his  bitter  disappointment,  his  fierce  energy  relaxed, 
his  stern  countenance  took  on  a  gentler  expression 
and  'twas  plain  that  his  age  had  at  last  begun  to  tell 
upon  his  uncompromising  spirit. 

"  At  least  there  is  still  one  in  the  city  who  has  a 
279 


28o  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

good  word  for  Peter  Stuyvesant,"  he  said,  half  to 
himself.  "  Thou  hast  a  sensitive  nature,  child.  I 
would  that  we  could  establish  thy  name  and  condi- 
tion." 

"  'Tis  on  that  account  that  I  am  here,  your  High 
Mightiness,"  Annetje  answered.  '*  This  same  spy 
you  have  sent  for  claims  that  he  knows  who  my 
parents  are.  I  beg  if  he  is  found,  you  will  spare 
him  In  return  for  that  secret." 

''  Aye,  right  willingly  will  I  do  that,"  he  answered 
heartily,  ''  but  I  warn  you,  count  not  too  much  upon 
the  word  of  a  spy.  Didst  thou  not  hint  he  held 
out  this  news  as  a  bait  for  information  he  would 
have?" 

*'  That  he  did,  your  High  Mightiness,"  Annetje 
replied,  "  and  at  first  I  was  minded  not  to  believe 
him.  But  now  I  have  reason  to  think  that  he  knows 
something,  for  why  else  would  he  have  made  a 
journey  to  question  the  Indians  about  me?  He  has 
some  knowledge,  your  High  Mightiness,  of  that  I 
am  convinced." 

"  Then  will  we  have  It  out  of  him !  "  declared  the 
Governor  with  a  flash  of  his  accustomed  energy,  and 
as  he  spoke  there  was  a  sound  of  scuffling  outside. 
A  moment  later  the  door  was  flung  open  and  two 
soldiers,  with  the  pedlar  between  them,  burst  into 
the  room. 

At  first  the  young  man  did  not  see  Annetje  and 
began  a  hot  protest  at  his  treatment. 

*' Your  High  Mightiness!  "  he  cried,  as  soon  as 
he  had  come  to  a  standstill  before  the  Governor, 
"  this  Is  not  the  way  to  treat  a  peaceful  citizen.  I 
was  doing  naught  when  these  men  seized  me  as  if 
I  were  a  criminal.  I  beg  your  High  Mightiness 
to  bid  them  release  me." 

Stuyvesant  turned  to  Annetje  as  if  to  ask  whether 


A  New  Name  for  an  Old  Town         281 

or  no  this  was  the  man,  but  the  pedlar,  looking  in 
the  same  direction,  saw  the  girl  and  his  face  grew 
grey  with  apprehension. 

''  He  is  a  spy,  your  High  Mightiness,"  Annetje 
announced  calmly. 

"  And  now  you  will  never  learn  who  your  parents 
are !  "  the  young  man  cried  vindictively. 

"  Will  she  not !  "  shouted  Stuyvesant.  "  Let  me 
tell  you,  fellow,"  he  went  on  furiously,  *'  I'm  still 
Governor  enough  to  have  you  hanged  ere  the  hour 
is  passed.  This  maid  has  come  here,  asking  for 
your  life  in  exchange  for  information  you  have  to 
give.  Tell  the  truth  about  her,  for,  as  I  am  a  living 
man,  'tis  your  only  chance  !  Speak  out !  I  am  not 
minded  to  be  kept  waiting  by  such  as  you." 

Like  a  trapped  animal  the  man  looked  about  him 
for  a  way  of  escape,  but  seeing  none  his  courage 
dropped  from  him  and  he  whined  for  mercy. 

"  I'll  tell  all  I  know,  your  High  Mightiness,  an 
you  will  spare  me,"  he  whimpered. 

"  Speak  then,  for  my  patience  is  nigh  its  end," 
commanded  the  Governor,  and  the  pedlar  forthwith 
began  his  story. 

"  I  was  always  a  ne'er-do-well,  your  High  Mighti- 
ness, and  about  two  years  ago  I  met  a  man  they 
called  Big  Pierre,  a  boschloper,  though  French. 
We  were  in  some  sort  friends,  and  upon  a  day  in 
the  woods  a  falling  tree  crushed  him,  and  he  told 
me  a  secret  which  he  declared  was  worth  much 
money.  It  seems  that  he  was  employed  upon  a 
sugar  estate  in  the  Indies  when  a  fever  broke  out 
upon  the  island.  The  owner  of  the  plantation  and 
his  wife,  fearing  for  their  infant  daughter,  decided 
to  send  the  child  to  its  grandparents  in  France. 
This  Big  Pierre,  having  had  the  small-pox  was  sent 
with  the  baby  and  the  negro  nurse,  being  paid  a 


282  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

good  sum  to  attend  them.  The  vessel  upon  which 
they  sailed,  steered  first  for  this  port,  meaning  to 
exchange  its  cargo  of  sugar  for  furs  ere  It  headed 
for  France;  but  being  encompassed  by  a  storm,  the 
ship  foundered  and  nigh  all  of  the  company  were 
lost.  Pierre,  however,  succeeded  In  rescuing  his 
charges  and  brought  them  unharmed  to  a  lonely, 
uninhabited  shore  from  which  they  set  out  to  find  a 
settlement. 

"  Having  no  compass  they  soon  lost  their  way. 
Pierre  quarrelled  with  the  other  survivors,  and  very 
shortly  found  himself  with  only  the  nurse  and  child 
In  the  deep  forests  in  dire  peril  of  their  lives. 

"  They  wandered  for  days,  feeding  on  berries  and 
animals  he  succeeded  In  shooting  ere  his  powder 
and  ball  gave  out,  but  at  length  the  coloured  woman 
died  and  Pierre,  certain  that  the  baby  could  survive 
but  a  few  hours,  went  on  by  himself,  nigh  crazed  by 
hunger  and  fatigue.  By  great  good  luck  he  reached 
Fort  Orange  and  was  saved. 

"  Here  he  stayed  for  several  years  trading  with 
the  Indians  and  Dutch  until  finally  he  had  word  of 
a  mysterious  child  held  by  the  Algonkins  to  the 
north.  From  the  tales  that  filtered  down  to  him 
he  became  convinced  that  this  must  be  the  child  he 
had  abandoned,  and,  in  fear  lest  his  cowardice  should 
be  discovered,  he  left  Fort  Orange.  But  he  had  a 
conscience  and  always,  he  told  me,  he  dreamed  of 
that  little  babe  lying  in  the  black  woman's  arms. 
That  Is  all  the  tale,  your  High  Mightiness,  that 
Pierre  knew.  I  asked  him  of  what  rank  were  the 
parents  of  the  child  and  he  vowed  they  were  gentle 
folk,  very  rich,  who  would  give  a  fine  reward  for 
the  recovery  of  their  lost  daughter. 

"  Some  time  later  I  chanced  to  hear  the  story  of 
Jan  Virrhagc  and  the  child  he  brought  back  with  him 


A  New  Name  for  an  Old  Town         283 

from  the  Indians,  and  seeing  that  a  trip  to  NIeuw 
Amsterdam  fitted  in  with  my  plans,  I  came  here 
about  a  year  ago  and  found  this  girl  Annetje.  I 
made  inquiries  and  am  convinced  that  she  is  the  babe 
Pierre  abandoned  In  the  woods.  'Twas  in  my  mind 
to  marry  her,  your  High  Mightiness,  seeing  that  she 
was  like  to  have  a  fine  estate;  but  I  could  gather 
no  proof  upon  which  to  base  a  valid  claim.  The 
Indians  found  naught  by  which  she  could  be  identi- 
fied, and  though  I  am  morally  certain  that  she  is 
Annette  de  Marsette  — " 

"Annette  de  Marsette!"  cried  the  girl.  "Is 
that  Indeed  my  name?  " 

"  Aye,"  answered  the  pedlar,  "  at  least  that  was 
the  name  of  the  little  child  who  was  lost  in  the 
woods.  But  proof  of  it  there  is  none.  I  have 
searched  up  and  down  the  land  to  no  purpose." 

"  But  at  least  I  have  a  name,"  Annetje  said  ex- 
ultingly.  "  You  know,  your  High  Mightiness,  the 
Indians  called  me  Annet  and  my  Indian  mother 
told  me  'twas  a  name  I  gave  myself.  It  must  be 
that  I  am  that  poor  baby." 

The  Governor  sat  thoughtfully  for  a  moment  and 
then,  suddenly,  as  if  for  the  time  he  had  forgotten 
the  man,  he  looked  at  the  pedlar. 

"Away!"  he  cried.  "I  spare  your  life,  which 
indeed  is  not  worth  the  taking.  Begone  ere  I  change 
my  mind." 

The  pedlar  did  not  need  to  be  told  twice.  In 
an  instant  Stuyvesant  and  Annetje  were  alone  in  the 
room. 

"  My  child,"  began  the  Governor,  after  a  time, 
"  'tis  my  duty  to  warn  thee  not  to  place  too  much 
confidence  in  this  tale  we  have  just  heard.  I  do 
not  trust  the  man  overmuch,  indeed  his  story  is  scarce 
credible,  though  I  think  he  believes  It;  otherwise  I 


284  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

would  have  hanged  him  as  he  deserves.  But  thou 
must  see  that,  lacking  proof  of  any  sort,  thou  canst 
lay  no  claim  even  to  the  name  of  de  Marsette." 

"  But  your  High  Mightiness,"  protested  Annetje, 
"  'tis  proved  that  I  was  found  in  the  arms  of  a  negro 
nurse  and  — " 

'^  Aye,  and  thou  mightst  have  been  the  daughter 
of  a  Dutch  burgher  who  had  slaves  a-plenty  to  care 
for  his  children,"  Stuyvesant  answered,  "  Or  what 
is  more  likely,  thy  parents  were  members  of  one 
of  the  English  colonies  to  the  south  and  thou  and 
thy  nurse  were  driven  into  the  woods  during  an 
Indian  raid.  There  may  be  fifty  ways  to  explain  the 
circumstances,  yet  I  owe  thee  a  service  and  to  that 
end  I  shall  set  on  foot  certain  inquiries  which  will, 
let  us  hope,  bring  us  a  truer  knowledge.  But  it 
will  need  time  and  meanwhile,  I  warn  thee,  take  not 
the  matter  too  much  to  heart  nor  spread  the  news 
abroad,  lest  later  thou  shouldst  be  forced  to  con- 
tradict it." 

Annetje  heard  this  with  a  sinking  spirit.  Then, 
of  a  sudden  she  remembered  the  treatment  she  had 
received  at  the  hands  of  Mevrouw  Stuyvesant  and 
thought  she  saw  a  motive  behind  the  Governor's 
discouraging  view  of  the  situation. 

"  Your  High  Mightiness,"  she  said,  "  is  it  because 
of  Balthazar  that  you  would  have  me  still  remain  a 
nameless  waif?  " 

"Balthazar!"  he  cried  angrily.  "Hal  I  had 
forgotten  him !  Nay,  child,  an  thou  wert  a  princess 
I  would  not  let  thee  marry  the  lad.  He  is  not  a 
fit  mate  for  thee,  being  doubly  a  coward  in  that  he 
has  been  taught  better.  I  am  glad  thou  hast  re- 
minded me  of  him.  Leave  me  now,  for  his  case 
has  to  be  dealt  with  at  once,  and  of  thy  matters  I 
will  speak  to  thee  again." 


A  New  Name  for  an  Old  Town         285 

He  had  risen  from  his  chair,  all  the  old  energy 
returned,  and  Annetje  left  him  at  the  door,  where  he 
stood  shouting  lustily  for  some  one  to  come  and 
take  his  orders. 

Later  that  day  Vrouw  Pelgrom,  standing  at  the 
window  of  the  cottage,  gave  a  cry  of  dismay,  as  she 
looked  out  toward  the  bay. 

"  Annetje,"  she  called,  In  a  distressed  tone. 
"  Come  here,  child,  and  tell  me  if  my  old  eyes  have 
lost  their  cunning?  " 

The  girl  ran  to  her  and  the  portly  dame  pointed 
to  the  flag  flying  on  the  staff  above  the  Fort. 

"What  seest  thou,  Annetje?"  she  demanded. 
''  Surely  they  are  not  our  colours." 

"  Nay,  'tis  the  cross  of  St.  George,"  Annetje  an- 
swered.    "  We  are  English  now." 

At  that  moment  Madaleen  Wittsen  tore  through 
the  gate. 

*' What  thinkest  thou  they  have  done?"  she 
panted  as  she  reached  them.  "  They  have  changed 
the  name  of  the  city.  'Tis  no  longer  Nieuw  Amster- 
dam but  Nieuw  York!  " 

"  Then  'tis  no  city  for  me,"  declared  Vrouw  Pel- 
grom. "  If  Hard-koppig  Piet  is  no  longer  to  rule 
this  province  then  indeed  must  I  seek  another  home." 
And  with  that  she  went  indoors  shaking  her  head 
sadly. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 

TWO    LETTERS 

EARLY  upon  the  following  day  an  oldish-look- 
ing man  came  to  the  door  of  the  cottage  and 
pulling  his  forelock,  sailor  fashion,  handed  a 
letter  to  Annetje. 

She  opened  it  hastily  and  read  as  follows: 

''  Annetje  dear: 

*'  When  this  reaches  thy  hand  I  shall  be  upon 
my  way  to  the  Indies  whither  I  am  sent  by  my 
father  who,  in  anger  at  my  having  signed  the  peti- 
tion, has  had  me  placed  under  guard  upon  this  vessel 
till  she  sails.  Save  that  I  cannot  say  farewell  to 
thee,  I  am  content,  having  long  made  up  my  mind 
to  seek  my  own  fortune  in  the  world.  That  done 
I  shall  have  the  right  to  claim  thee,  nor  need  seek 
permission  from  any  one.  But  O  Annetje,  wilt  thou 
wait  for  me?  My  heart  misgives  me,  for  I  love 
thee  greatly,  and  am  sore  beset  with  doubts,  not  of 
thy  constancy,  but  of  mine  own  unworthiness.  I 
cannot  send  thee  further  word.  The  man  waits  who 
will  deliver  this  and  the  tide  is  already  at  the  flood. 
Farewell,  Annetje,  my  heart's  heart.  God  keep 
thee,  and  speed  the  day  when  I  shall  return  to  thee. 

''  Balthazar." 

Her  eyes  filled  with  tears  as  she  looked  at  the 
man  before  her. 

''  Has  the  ship  sailed?  "  she  asked. 
286 


Two  Letters  287 

*'  Aye,  Melsje,"  he  answered.  "  A  half  hour 
before  the  sun  was  up.     She's  well  to  sea  by  this." 

^'  I  thank  you  for  bringing  me  the  letter,"  she 
faltered. 

"  It  scarce  seems  like  good  tidings,"  the  man  mur- 
mured sympathetically.  "  'Tis  always  goin'  and 
comin'  In  this  world,  but  'tis  a  sorry  sight  to  see  the 
young  sad." 

"  Nay,  I  am  not  really  sad,"  replied  Annetje, 
smiling  through  her  tears. 

"Was  the  news  none  so  bad  then?"  the  man 
questioned  cheerfully. 

"  Nay,  it  was  none  so  bad,"  she  agreed,  smiling 
back. 

"  'Tis  good  news  to  hear  thee  say  that,"  he  went 
on.  "  I  have  no  liking  to  be  the  bearer  of  sorry 
messages.  Good  luck  to  thee,  Meisje.  'Tis  brave 
to  see  thee  smile  through  thy  tears,"  and  pulling  his 
lock  again  he  went  down  the  path. 

"  Vrouw  Pelgrom,"  Annetje  said  as  she  went  into 
the  house,  "  how  wouldst  thou  like  to  make  thy 
home  in  the  Indies?  " 

"  I  know  naught  of  them,  child,"  the  dame  an- 
swered, "  but  I  care  little  where  I  go,  so  be  it  is 
Dutch.  I  have  no  love  for  the  English  and  doubt 
not  this  colony  will  disappear  under  their  rule. 
What  made  thee  think  of  the  Indies?  " 

"  Balthazar  has  gone  there,"  she  owned  with  a 
little  blush. 

*'  Is  that  It?  "  cried  the  dame. 

*'  Nay,"  Annetje  explained  soberly,  "  'tis  not 
wholly  on  that  account.  I  have  other  reasons  for 
desiring  to  visit  them.  It  may  be  that  I  was  born  in 
one  of  those  islands." 

'*  I  warrant  Balthazar  cares  not  a  scrap  where 
thou  wert  born,"  the  dame  avowed. 


288  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

"  But  I  do,"  Annetje  insisted  positively.  ''  There 
can  be  naught  'twixt  us  till  that  is  settled." 

She  gave  the  letter  to  Vrouw  Pelgrom  who  read 
it  through  with  moist  eyes. 

"  He  will  come  back  for  thee,  Annetje,"  she  said 
at  the  end.     "  Thou  wilt  wait?  " 

"  Aye,  but  'twill  be  no  different  then,"  the  girl 
answered.  "  I  will  still  be  nameless,  and  whatever 
happens  I  do  not  mean  that,  through  me,  he  shall 
be  estranged  from  his  family.  He  will  be  a  Stuyve- 
sant,  whether  or  no  he  makes  his  way  in  the  world." 

"Thou  hast  the  pride  of  a  princess!"  declared 
Vrouw  Pelgrom  irritably. 

"  Nay,  'tis  not  pride,"  Annetje  declared. 

"  'Tis  naught  else!  " 

"  Then  'tis  a  proper  pride,"  and  Annetje  ended 
the  controversy  for  the  moment. 

In  the  afternoon  a  message  from  the  Governor 
brought  word  that  her  presence  was  desired  im- 
mediately at  the  Stadhuys  and  Annetje  hurried  to 
obey,  trying  to  imagine  the  cause  of  this  early  sum- 
mons. It  was  too  soon  for  him  to  have  set  any 
inquiry  a-foot  and  she  could  think  of  naught  that 
the  Governor  would  wish  to  say  to  her,  yet  there 
was  a  vague  fear  in  her  heart.  So  many  disappoint- 
ments had  come  to  her  that  she  trembled  lest  an- 
other threatened;  and  she  wracked  her  brains  to  find 
from  what  source  it  might  be  expected. 

The  Stadthuys  was  the  centre  of  a  busy  throng  of 
all  sorts  of  people.  The  newly  arrived  English 
officers  of  the  Commission  were  most  prominent  and 
she  caught  a  glimpse  of  Colonel  Nicholls,  sur- 
rounded by  his  staff  and  thought  him  a  fine  looking 
man.  But  she  had  little  interest  in  these  things, 
being  Intent  upon  finding  the  man  she  still  thought 
of  as  Governor  and,  after  a  slight  delay,  found  her- 


Two  Letters  289 

self  before  him  In  a  small  room  which  he  now  used 
as  a  private  office. 

"  Your  High  Mightiness  sent  for  me?  "  she  asked, 
as  she  stood  before  his  desk. 

"  Aye,  my  child,"  he  said,  nodding,  as  he  picked 
up  a  sheet  from  among  the  loose  papers  and  handed 
it  to  her.  "  Hast  ever  seen  anything  resembling 
that?" 

Annetje  found  herself  looking  at  a  lozenge-shaped 
drawing  the  design  of  which  was,  indeed,  very  fa- 
miliar to  her. 

"  Why,  yes,  your  High  Mightiness,"  she  replied 
at  once.  "  'Tis  the  same  marking  that  is  upon  my 
doeskin  suits." 

"  I  would  know  more  of  that,"  he  said  shortly, 
and  Annetje  told  him  of  the  beaded  figures  worked 
upon  the  little  garments,  growing  somewhat  excited 
as  she  recounted  the  tale. 

"  Didst  ever  hear  this  savage  woman  say  where 
she  had  seen  the  pattern  of  the  figures  she  embroid- 
ered?" asked  the  Governor. 

*'  Aye,  your  High  Mightiness.  'Twas  upon  the 
baby  clothes  I  wore  when  they  found  me.  My 
Indian  mother  cut  it  out  and  sewed  it  between  the 
inner  and  outer  skins  of  my  first  suit,  thinking  that 
it  would  please  the  Great  Spirit." 

*'  And  who  can  say  that  it  has  not?  "  cried  Stuyve- 
sant  solemnly.  "  My  child,  thou  art  Annette  de 
Marsette,  as  the  pedlar  spy  told  us.  There  Is  left 
no  doubt  of  it.  I  have  here  a  letter  from  thy  grand- 
father. The  English  ships  brought  good  news  for 
thee  at  least." 

"  Is  it  really  true!  "  cried  Annetje,  almost  over- 
come. "  Have  I  really  a  grandfather.  Oh,  your 
High  Mightiness,  I  pray  you  tell  me  all  about  it." 

"  'Tis  a  curious  story,"  began  the  Governor,  pick- 


290  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

ing  up  a  closely  written  letter.  "  Thy  grandfather 
is  a  rich  man,  I  take  it,  and  of  an  honourable  family. 
Thou  wert  indeed  sent  to  France  but  as  we  know, 
never  arrived  there.  Both  thy  parents  died  of  the 
plague  that  came  to  the  island  and  not  till  nigh  a 
twelvemonth  later  did  thy  family  in  France  know 
of  thy  disappearance.  They  took  steps  at  once  to 
find  thee,  but  without  result.  Thy  grandfather, 
Georges  de  Marsette,  exhausting  all  efforts  toward 
thy  recovery,  mourned  thee  for  lost  till  within  the 
year  a  strange  circumstance  occurred.  Listen,  I  will 
read  a  part  of  his  letter  to  thee. 

"  *  Your  Excellency  will,  I  doubt  not,  see  in  what 
I  am  to  write  now,  the  hand  of  our  Father  in  Heaven 
and  this  leads  me  to  hope  that  the  little  maid  I  had 
given  up  as  lost  may  still  be  in  the  land  of  the  living. 
Otherwise  it  were  hard  to  believe  that  these  things 
should  happen.  I  was  summoned  not  long  ago  to 
the  house  of  a  friend  who  is  something  of  an  anti- 
quary. Upon  a  recent  visit  to  England  he  had 
bought  a  suit  of  skins  fabricated  by  the  Indians  of 
your  noble  country,  to  add  to  his  collection.  Some 
repairs  being  necessary  against  the  ravages  of  the 
moth,  the  seams  of  the  small  suit  were  ripped  and 
to  his  surprise,  a  tiny  piece  of  fine  linen  was  found 
secreted  therein.  Upon  looking  closely  at  this  bit 
of  stray  cloth  he  was  amazed  to  find  embroidered 
thereon  the  quarterings  of  my  coat  of  arms  in 
lozenge;  a  drawing  of  which  I  am  sending  to  you. 
On  his  attention  being  called  to  it,  he  discovered 
that,  in  the  bead  work  also  this  same  design  was 
cunningly  inserted.  Your  Excellency  may  well 
imagine  the  hope  this  discovery  awakened  in  my 
breast.  Were  I  not  a  feeble  old  man,  destined  to 
depart  this  life  shortly,  I  should  have  come  in  person, 
but  so  convinced  am  I  of  her  safety  since  finding  this 


Two  Letters  291 

evidence  of  my  lost  granddaughter  (for  who  can 
doubt  that  'twas  from  her  dainty  clothing  this  piece 
of  linen  was  clipped),  that  I  wait  here  in  the  calm 
assurance  that  God  will  give  her  back  to  me.  The 
help  your  Excellency  will  extend  — ' 

"  The  rest  is  a  polite  appeal  for  my  aid,"  Stuyve- 
sant  remarked,  breaking  off  the  letter.  "  For  thy 
sake,  as  well  as  thy  grandfather's,  I  am  glad  to  be  the 
means  of  bringing  thee  together." 

"  I  do  not  know  what  to  say,  your  High  Mighti- 
ness," Annetje  faltered.  "  'Tis  hard  to  realize  that 
at  last  I  have  found  some  of  my  own  kin  upon  the 
earth." 

*'  That  realization  will  soon  come,  child,"  Stuyve- 
sant  assured  her.  "  Meanwhile  make  thy  plans  for 
a  journey  to  the  West  Indies  and  I'll  see  that  the 
next  vessel  out  is  fitted  for  thy  accommodation." 

"  To  the  West  Indies!  "  Annetje  exclaimed,  open 
eyed.      "  Why,  that  is  where  Balthazar  has  gone." 

"  Aye,  to  be  sure,"  replied  the  Governor.  "  I 
grant  you  I  was  a  trifle  hasty  in  sending  him  off, 
but  I  hope  his  being  there  will  not  prevent  your 
going."^ 

"  It  is  to  my  grandfather  I  must  go,  your  High 
Mightiness,"  Annetje  stammered. 

"Why,  to  be  sure,  again!"  laughed  the  Gov- 
ernor. "  Did  I  not  tell  thee  that  thy  grandfather 
is  in  the  Indies  overseeing  thy  plantation?  " 

"  Nay,  your  High  Mightiness,  I  thought  he  was 
in  France,"  said  Annetje,  and  then  she  saw  a  twinkle 
in  the  stern  old  eyes  and  laughed.  "  I  think  your 
High  Mightiness  is  trying  to  plague  me  a  little." 

"  Nay,  Mademoiselle  Annetje,"  he  answered  with 
a  formal  bow.  "  I  should  not  dare  to  plague  your 
ladyship,"  then,  getting  up,  he  came  to  her  side. 
*'  My  child,"  he  went  on  gently,  ''  thou  hast  grown 


292  A  Maid  of  Old  Manhattan 

up  under  my  eye  since  thou  earnest  to  this  city. 
More  than  once  I  have  wished  that  thou  hadst  been 
born  my  daughter,  for  I  have  loved  thee  for  thy 
brave  spirit  and  good  sense.  But  since  that  could 
not  be,  I  am  glad  that  my  son  has  chosen  thee  and 
that  naught  now  prevents  your  union.  Balthazar 
does  not  deserve  thee,  but  I  shall  be  glad  if  thou 
wilt  consent  to  be  a  daughter  to  Peter  Stuyvesant" 
Annetje,  too  happy  to  speak,  nodded  her  head, 
and  the  old  Dictator,  a  gentle  smile  upon  his  stern 
face,  for  the  second  time  in  her  life,  kissed  the  girl 
upon  the  forehead. 


THE    END 


PniKTlTT)  IN  THE  tTXITED  8TATBS  OF  AMERICA 


THE  following  pages  contain  advertisements  of  books 
by  the  same  author  or  on  kindred  subjects. 


BY  THE  SAME  AUTHOR 

Polly  Trotter,  Patriot 

By  ALDEN  a.  KNIPE 

AND 

EMILY  BENSON  KNIPE 

With  Illustrations  by  Mrs.  Knipe. 

.  Cloth,  i2mo,  $1.23 

That  a  little  girl  can  serve  her  country  in  time  of  trouble  quite 
as  splendidly  as  the  boys  and  men  of  the  family  is  the  thought 
underlying  this  story,  Polly  Trotter's  brother  and  her  father  help 
the  Colonies  bravely  in  their  light  for  freedom,  and  Polly  bewails 
the  fact  that  because  she  is  a  girl  there  is  nothing  she  can  do. 
Her  error  in  thinking  this  and  the  noble  and  courageous  way  in 
which  she  helps  the  cause  make  up  as  striking  a  story  of  Revolu- 
tionary Days  as  The  Maid  of  '76,  by  the  same  authors. 

"A  rousing  tale  of  the  Revolution." — Literary  Digest. 

"  Patriotic  little  misses  and  those  who  revel  in  the  stirring  days 
of  the  early  history  of  this  country  will  enjoy  '  Polly  Trotter, 
Patriot.'  " —  Philadelphia  Ledger. 

"  It  may  be  highly  commended  for  its  spirit,  and  Polly  is  a  girl 
both  lovable  and  resourceful." —  Outlook. 

"  Rarely  has  the  spirit  of  Independence  been  so  well  suggested 
as  in  this  latest  volume." —  The  Dial. 

"A  high  type  of  juvenile  fiction,  which  is  not  overdone  with 
sentimentality." —  Philadelphia  Press. 

"  Apart  from  the  interest  of  the  story,  which  is  briskly  and 
vivaciously  told,  there  is  matter  enough  to  stir  up  patriotic  feel- 
ings and  perhaps  show  young  people  that  every  one  can  be  a 
patriot  by  doing  the  duty  that  comes  to  hand." — Christian  En- 
deavor World. 

*'  Absorbing  and  inspiring." —  Continent,  A^.  Y. 

"  A  stirring  romance  of  Revolutionary  days  and  will  make  many 
friends  among  young  readers." — San  Francisco  Bulletin. 


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Publishers      64-66  Fifth  Avenue     New  York 


BY  THE  SAME  AUTHOR 


A  Maid  of  76 


By  ALDEN  a.  KNIPE  and  EMILIE  B.  KNIPE 
With  illustrations  by  Mrs.  Knipe 

Decorated  cloth,  i2mo,  $1.25 
The  little  heroine  of  this  book  is  a  girl  of  Revolutionary 
times,  a  patriot  through  and  through,  but  whose  family 
is  loyal  to  the  king.  Out  of  the  difficulties  with  which 
she  finds  herself  confronted,  and  which  she  brings  ulti- 
mately to  a  satisfactory  conclusion,  the  authors  have  made 
a  most  entertaining  story. 

"Represents  the  best  type  of  juvenile  fiction  —  founded  upon 
careful  historical  knowledge." — Boston  Herald. 

"A  very  excellent  book  with  a  delightful  atmosphere  of  those 
older  days  and  charming  pictures." — New  York  Times. 

"The  discriminating  accounts  of  the  so-called  'Loyalists* 
marks  the  book  as  a  superior  piece  of  work,  aside  from  its  bit 
of  romance." —  Congregationalist. 

"  A  fine  mixture  of  loyalty  and  romance  with  a  considerable 
historical  atmosphere  thrown  in." — Independent. 


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NEW  ILLUSTRATED  BOOKS 

The  Romance  of  King  Arthur  and  His 
Knights  of  the  Round  Table 

Abridged  from  Malory's  ''Morte  d'Arthur" 

By  ALFRED  W.  POLLARD 

With  illustrations  and  decorations  in  color  and  in  black  and  white 
by  Arthur  Rackham. 

Decorated  cloth,  Svo. 
Probably  never  before  has  a  large  and  elaborate  Arthur  Rack- 
ham  book  been  published  in  the  first  instance  at  the  price  at  which 
this  one  is  offered.  Its  pubHcation,  then,  will  serve  to  introduce 
the  artist  to  a  much  wider  circle  of  people,  many  of  whom  doubt- 
less have  long  heard  of  Rackham's  work  —  admired  it,  too,  per- 
haps—  but  have  been  unable  themselves  to  own  one  of  his  more 
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valuable  edition  to  any  library.  It  has  been  edited  by  Mr.  Pollard 
of  the  British  Museum  Library,  whose  scholarship  and  literary 
appreciation  are  reflected  throughout. 

Gulliver's  Travels 

By  JONATHAN  SWIFT 

New  edition,  with  illustrations  and  decorations  in  color  and  in 
black  and  white.     Presented  by  Willy  Pogany. 

Decorated  cloth,  i2mo. 
That  Swift's  tales  offer  untold  possibilities  to  the  artist  with 
imagination  is  very  apparent.  And  Mr,  Pogany  demonstrates  in 
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task.  He  has  achieved  in  full  measure  that  quality  of  weird  fasci- 
nation, which  is  perhaps  the  chief  charm  of  Swift's  text.  His 
pictures,  whether  they  be  the  full  page  plates  in  color  or  the  little 
decorations  used  as  headings  and  tail  pieces,  really  illustrate  the 
story,  at  the  same  time  supplying  the  touches  of  beauty  with  which 
a  masterpiece  such  as  this  should  be  adorned.  This  new  editicm 
of  Gulliver's  Travets  not  only  answers  the  purposes  of  a  gift 
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ing of  the  work. 

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